Both religious and economic factors had enormous impacts on English colonization in North America. One could argue that neither was more important than the other. However, I believe that economic factors were more crucial to colonial America’s formation.
Various groups made the journey to settle in America. Some of these groups did so for religious reasons. Colonists of the Plymouth Colony, for example, were Puritans who feared persecution from the Church of England. The colonists of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, established by the Puritan leader John Winthrop, set out to establish a church that all other churches would use as a model. Ironically, many colonies that were established for religious freedom were themselves exceedingly strict and intolerant of other religions. Individuals who did not conform to Puritan belief/lifestyle were called dissenters. They were …show more content…
The Great Awakening was a religious revival movement that swept through the British American colonies beginning in the 1730’s. Commonly, preachers traveled in order to give sermons and preach their beliefs across the country. Most of these beliefs opposed those of the enlightenment era. One of the most well-known preachers of the time was George Whitefield from England. It is estimated that he preached over 18,000 times in various places. His revivals were intrinsically emotional and moving. As a result of these preachers and sermons, a multitude of new churches and denominations were created. This led people to greater religious tolerance. Many people realized there were too many denominations for a single one to prevail. Thus, the Great Awakening actually sculpted a new feeling of unity between colonists. This feeling of unity also gave way to a new found sense of independence and led to a yearning for self-governance. The Great Awakening acted as a catalyst, preparing the colonists for a unified rebellion against
Various groups made the journey to settle in America. Some of these groups did so for religious reasons. Colonists of the Plymouth Colony, for example, were Puritans who feared persecution from the Church of England. The colonists of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, established by the Puritan leader John Winthrop, set out to establish a church that all other churches would use as a model. Ironically, many colonies that were established for religious freedom were themselves exceedingly strict and intolerant of other religions. Individuals who did not conform to Puritan belief/lifestyle were called dissenters. They were …show more content…
The Great Awakening was a religious revival movement that swept through the British American colonies beginning in the 1730’s. Commonly, preachers traveled in order to give sermons and preach their beliefs across the country. Most of these beliefs opposed those of the enlightenment era. One of the most well-known preachers of the time was George Whitefield from England. It is estimated that he preached over 18,000 times in various places. His revivals were intrinsically emotional and moving. As a result of these preachers and sermons, a multitude of new churches and denominations were created. This led people to greater religious tolerance. Many people realized there were too many denominations for a single one to prevail. Thus, the Great Awakening actually sculpted a new feeling of unity between colonists. This feeling of unity also gave way to a new found sense of independence and led to a yearning for self-governance. The Great Awakening acted as a catalyst, preparing the colonists for a unified rebellion against