The Great Awakening Religious Movement

After the French and Indian War, a religious movement known as the Great Awakening began in the colonies. The movement began in England in the 1730s and spread to the British colonies by 1739. George Whitefield and Jonathan Edwards traveled through the colonies holding revival meetings.

During these meetings, preachers taught emotion and the fear of punishment. The Great Awakening focused on individual experience rather than church customs. The preachers drew crowds so large that they had to old meetings in open fields. All ages and classes were welcome.

Some people disagreed with the message of the new preachers. This caused a division between colonists. Those who supported the Great Awakening were known as New Lights, while those who opposed