1730s–1740sReputable sourceWell documented
The Great Awakening
On the timeline · around 1730s–1740s ·
What happened
A wave of fervent religious revival swept the colonies, as preachers like Jonathan Edwards and the itinerant George Whitefield drew huge, emotional crowds and called for a personal, heartfelt conversion. Whitefield's tours made him one of the first truly intercolonial celebrities.
Why it matters
The Great Awakening cut across colonial and denominational lines, fostering a shared American identity, a spirit of individual judgment over established authority, and habits of mass gathering that historians link to the coming Revolution.
Sources
- HISTORY (A&E). Great Awakening · Reputable source