Essay On The Great Awakening

Words: 606
Pages: 3

In the 17th century, Britain overruled European colonist to the point that it drove them away from their homeland. The New World was the place they fled to with great satisfaction after plenty of hardships. People sought fortune, and an escaped from feudalism, but most importantly a place for religious freedom, where they could worship without government interference. The desire for religious freedom outweighed any another longing and played a significant role in the development of the American colonies.
Most British immigrants came to America for religious liberty and to avoid persecution faced by their royal leaders. In 1632 Maryland was established, as a refuge for persecuted Catholics, where they could live in harmony with Protestants.
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During the 18th century, the Enlightenment was an intellectual movement in which thinkers argued that “human institution, authority and tradition be judged before the bar of reason” (Foner 2017, 123). They applied the scientific method, in order to get a reason and answer of things. After time, some Americans adopted Deism, in which they believe God left and the world should function according to scientific laws. Moreover, in 1730, The Great Awakening was a religious revival by Protestants. The colonist started changing their attitudes towards religion. People were starting to think for themselves and not listen to the elite. The revivals asserted the colonist they had “the right to independent judgement” and “trust their own views” (Foner 2017, 126). That no highly educated pastor could tell them God’s wishes. Ultimately, this religious revival was one of the influences that led to the American Revolution.
Overall, much of the growth in the colonies came from the expansion of religious groups that sought freedom. Each colony had a different outlook towards their religious toleration, which encouraged colonist to settle, and to start their families where they found most suited to their wants. Although, towards the way, colonist came across movements, that challenged their beliefs and changed their perspectives. All these actions developed the formation of colonial North