Gabby Gallone
A) The thesis of the historians Nash and Isaac was that the new Awakening caused a strong focus on religion and a rebirth of devotion to faith. The new concentration on religion broke down the division between the social classes of the colony and allowed for equality. Also, this new revolution caused the citizens of the colonies to question the motives of their superiors and the need for granting them deference and respect. Evidence that supports this thesis is the fact that after the Awakening no single religious domination was in control. Because there were so many different religions, it prevented any religion from being the majority and having most of the power. Another example of evidence that supports this thesis was that Awakening ministers were not always ordained, allowing anyone to become a religious leader.
B) The thesis of the historian Heyrman was that the Great Awakening was a conservative movement that was just a “continuation of earlier religious traditions.” Also, that though the Awakening started with the implications that slavery and class privilege was wrong this focus was soon shadowed by religious revolution. This thesis is supported by the all of the schools and churches that were founded because of the Awakening. The money collected by religious leaders was not put towards the abolition of slavery but towards increasing the popularity of their religion.
C) One way that the First Great Awakening created conditions that contributed to the decision of the American Colonists to revolt against England was that the Awakening was a “national” occurrence. The refocus on religion was a common thread throughout the colonies and a major event that they all shared. This revolution helped disintegrate the barriers that separated the individual colonies by giving them a cause of unification and strength.
