Chloe Van Duyne Mr.
Kluska APUSHJanuary 23, 2018 Religious Influence in America from 1607-1754 Encouragement and hope are key factors in successfully creating change. Many times throughout history, certain events act as predecessors to another to promote change. The woman suffrage movement and black suffrage movement of examples of this concept. The black suffrage movement successfully resulted in the 15th amendment of the Constitution which gave women hope that they could be successful in their movement as well. Similarly, religious influence on American culture from 1607-1754 prompted changes in colonial governmental status with Great Britain. Religious influence also changed ideas in slavery and created division through the colonies.
Religion shaped American culture in the period from 1607-1754 through the Great Awakening, encouragement to defy societal norms, and concepts involved with slavery. One way religion shaped American culture was through the First Great Awakening. The Great Awakening took place in the 1730’s and 1740’s as a time of increased renewal of Protestant religion that swept British American and Protestant Europe. Christians began to veer from the traditional ideas of worship and gave way to new denominations in American culture. Benjamin Franklin states, ” from being thoughtless or indifferent about religion, it seemed as if all the world we’re growing religiously; so that one cannot walk through the town in the evening without hearing songs in different families of every street” (Document 3). This document describes the demonstration of multiple denominations in America. Franklin’s point of view shows he is pleased that American people are expanding their religious beliefs and creating change.
The fact that Franklin could observe this large array of religious worship, which is different from societal norms before the Great Awakening, shows the influence of religion on American culture. Another example that exemplifies how the First Great Awakening shaped American culture is through the manner in which people viewed human reasoning and reasoning from a higher power. Historian Frank Lambert states, “ many Protestants, especially Anglicans, had substituted human reason for divine revelation as sure guide for human conduct” (Document 4). Lamente describes how people began to place divine reasoning over humane ways of reasoning which reflects the historical situation of the Great Awakening.
This demonstrates the influence on American culture as people began vigorously believing in the ideas of religion rather that human reasoning which was common in culture at this time. Preacher Jonathan Edwards states, ” if it were not for the restraining hand of God upon them, they would soon break out, they would flame out after the same manner as the same corruptions” (Document 2). Edward continually demonstrates the dedication people of this time had to their praise in god which was caused by religious influence of the Great Awakening. Another way religious influence shaped American culture is by promoting the idea of standing up for your desires. Revivalism taught the people they could confront religious authority and subsequently confront British authority.
One example of this is the Boston Bread Riot of 1710 which was a response to high bread prices and food shortages. Historian Pauline Maier states, ” history of Boston, whereby the mid-18 century “ public order… prevailed to eat greater degree than anywhere else in England or America,” is full of such incidents” (Document 6). The past actions that changed the standard of religion parallel to that of revolts which occur to correct unfair treatment. If it wasn’t for this religious influence, people may not have had the courage to stand out and make a change.
Additionally, religious influence by the formation of new denominations prompted the colonies to join together against Britain. In the Pennsylvania Gazette, Benjamin Franklin published the “ Join or Die” cartoon depicting a snake chopped in pieces that were labeled with the names of the colonies. The illustrators purpose in creating this piece was to encourage colonists in defense of their rights and independence. The colonists were influenced by religion and by learning from past experiences in which they have the capability of standing up for what they believe in, similar to how people abandoned their churches when they were not adequate for their desires manner or worship. Lastly, religious influence altered the culture and religion of American owned slaves.
The revivalist movement throughout the colonies increased the number of free blacks and African slaves who were surrounded by and subsequently converted to Christianity. Antonio Bly states, ” The colonies role in the traffic of slaves and with in the Atlantic system itself what small during the 17 century, but after 1728 it grew significantly” (Document 7). The increase in runaway slaves could have been due to exposure to Christianity and desire to become more fully submerged in the religion. According ushistory. org, George Whitefield was able to convert many black slaves as well as some Native Americans with his sermons on revivalism. This shows how religious influence through revivalist speeches began to change American culture by giving slaves more religious freedom.
Overall, religion significantly influenced American culture from 1607-1754. This was accomplished through the Great Awakening, which showed people they could defy religious standards in order to worship as they pleased. This act showed the colonists they no longer needed the church to regulate how they worshiped, which later transcribed into colonist realizing they no longer needed British government to regulate life in the colonies. The revivalistic ideals promoted great change in American culture in the spheres such as revolts, denominations of worship, and slavery.
