The Influence of the Protestant Religion on the American Revolution

Throughout the ages there have been many rebellions and revolutions overcoming corruptions of higher authorities. Two major events are the protestant reformation and the American revolution. Both set examples for generations to come in either religious freedom or politically. Of the two, the Protestant Reformation made a greater difference in the course of history with advancing religious freedom, as to where the American Revolution effected a smaller amount with political influence.

The American Revolution was a memorable event which impacted individuals and brought the 13 colonies independence and the opportunity to unify themselves in order to coexist as one body which would eventually be called “The United States”. Religion is an important part of this era as well as everything else that occurred. Being a Protestant and believing in the Christian values was considered “normal” and if anyone was of different belief, they were usually shunned. Many non-Protestants, including immigrants, were negatively affected during the American Revolution. Although at a glance it may seem that the American Revolution was nothing but beneficial, non-Protestants suffered during this time. In this paper, we will explain that non-Protestants and religious dissenters did not benefit from the American Revolution.

In the 1730s and 1740s, a religious movement known as the Great Awakening spread its influence throughout the colonies. Originating in New England with Reverend Jonathan Edwards, which soon led to George Whitefield to push the movement throughout the colonies, and eventually to Samson Occum, and Indian Minister who spread these ideals to his people. Prior to this movement, religion in the colonies had been decreasing, and oftentimes sermons were dreary, and were long intellectual speeches which found the world to be perfectly created by God. However, the Great Awakening relit the fire that was religion in the colonies, a fire that was first lit by the original settlers, and at that time was burning as brightly as it ever had.

The year 1775 marked the beginning of the American Revolution or, to the colonists, “The War for Independence.” The American Revolution did not happen by itself but past conflicts such as the seven years war provoked the future event of the American Revolution. The seven year war was fought between the Thirteen Colonies and the French Empire as well as Native American allies, over territory in America. Before the seven year war, the British government proposed the colonists to pay for protection and also for a royal leader. After the seven year war King George changed the proposal to being required for every colonist to pay taxes because of the debt that British was in. The British Crown passed many laws without representation from colonists, which led colonists to question the king’s authority. As a result, historians argue that the American Revolution was based on economics. More significant causes of the American Revolution were politics, culture, and religion. Politics were a significant cause because the colonist disliked the rules and regulations of the Charter that the King established. Culture also caused the Revolution due to the rational thinking of the Enlightenment. The Enlightenment gave the colonist the thought of self governing instead of being under the royal leader. Finally, Religion also impacted the American Revolution because Religion contributed the idea that the church should voice their opinion on government decisions over the colonies.

The American Revolution was a political disturbance that took place between 1775 and 1783. During this time, the colonist rejected the British monarchy and aristocracy, overthrew the British authority, –the king– and established the United States of America. From 1775 to 1783 America underwent some radical changes. These changes not only transformed the United States into a self-governing nation, but fixed part of their tax issue. The changes made in the American Revolution greatly improved America and made the United States who we are today.

The American Revolution marked a highly significant time period throughout history. This time period consisted of a variety of changes that would forever change the United States of America. The American Revolution brought upon profound social, economic, cultural, political, military, and religious changes. These were not the only changes that the American Revolution encountered. Many technological and industrial revolutions would later transform the modes of production, which would mark the transition from a rural to an urban economy (Mays 231). This would later stimulate the standard of living. This period consisted of many changes that would later bring upon changes within gender roles in societies, races, national relations, and many more movements (Savas and Dameran 108). Military revolutions brought upon change within the warfare that would later lead to the development of new technology (Greene and Pole 310). Many progressive movements were developed within the American Revolution, especially since it was a time where slavery was still considered popular among many states (Mays 253). From 1765 up until 1783, the American Colonies, went through a radical transformation into an independent nation in which they fought for, after many years of being controlled by the English government (Greene and Pole 251). The outcome of the American Revolution not only affected the colonies, economically, but as well as culturally, politically, and would bring upon many changes that

The Great Awakening, was a succession of religious revivals spanning from the 1720s to the 1760s, that swept across the thirteen colonies, and with it its ideals and doctrines. A theorized reason for the appeal of these revivalist principles was because it cut across lines of class, race, gender, occupation, and education (Press). This would further unite the colonies into a more common understanding of shared values, which introduced the spread of mass communication in America as revivalists travelled the colonies preaching to all. The thirteen colonies spread across a vast canvas of land, and each with their own unique state, but the religious revivals of the eighteenth century consolidated them with its reach of a lasting legacy that tolerated divergent ideas, promoted religious pluralism, and the separation of the church and the state (Press). These were all new concepts that were

The social, political, and economic causes of the American Revolution inevitably helped shape the country we live in today. A social cause that occurred was the disagreement between America and Britain and how poorly they were treated. A political cause that occurred was the implantation of legislatures on the colonies. An economic cause that also occurred was how every item that was imported of exported by the colonies had to be shipped through England, regardless of its destination. With all these causes in mind, it is without a doubt that due to the political cause that conjured the disagreement between America and England, inevitably sparked the beginning of the American Revolution, in hopes for America to be free from Britain’s rule.

The Glorious Revolution gave way to Americans realizing the kings power was no good and a government of people needed to form. The Enlightenment and Awakening leaded to a revolution that said the earth’s orbit always starts over every 365 days with the Sun. Daniel Rittenhouse was the first component of this lightened view in allowing the colonists to realize that there destiny never could be crushed. After 1732 when the colonies were all founded a community with no barriers was formed in developing the American dream for every colonist. Every person then had a goal in mind and an ambition set in creating what America is today with the impact of people wanting change and striving for succession. Modernization in science and religion really sparked a determination to be better each day without being subject to any authoritative rule. The American colonists knew that they were making something special out of the new land and nothing was going to get in the way. Some other influential factors in making the nation what it is today is democratic ideals through motivation of freedom, the example of the Roman Empire, and the Scientific Revolution which enabled people to understand that everything wasn’t predetermined. The founding fathers were able to piggy bag

Around the turn of the 18th century, the American Revolution, or the American War of Independence, was actually the root of inspiration for the French and Haitian revolutions. When the deadly Seven Years War ended in 1763, Britain sent troops to the Thirteen American colonies and tried to impose several taxations on them in order to pay the war debts. The British government passed different types of Acts such as the Stamp Act, the Currency Act, and the Tea Act, making the colonists angry because they were being taxed continuously without having direct representations in the Parliament. Likewise, since there was a social inequality, the tensions between the two nations grew higher over time which caused a revolt to break out. In 1776, Thomas

The Protestant Revolution was a challenge to the Renaissance because it followed classical sources in the glorification of human nature and loyalty to traditional religion, being impressed more with human potential of doing evil over good.

The Great Awakening was an event that occurred in the early 18th century characterized by fervent and enthusiastic worship in a series of revivals that spread throughout the American colonies. This event was noted for the growth of the Christian church and the promotion of traditional Puritan views on the issues of election and salvation. The success of the Great Awakening rests in the pluralistic, ecumenical, and sociological efforts of men from various theological backgrounds, yet espousing a unified message of repentance, forgiveness, and hope for the masses. Research available on this period ranges from 18th century newspapers and letters to current literary criticism of discourse of the period. However, the resources selected for

The Great Awakening being the first cause of the American Revolution. Hundreds of years, state seized to control the churches, and faiths that seemed to take an interest in the colonies. The Great Awakening was led by Jonathan Edwards, and George Whitefeild who taught everyone that faith was more personal. The Great Awakening was the revolutionary idea where the state should not control any of the faiths the people so choose to practice. Instead, set basic laws, in to not kill and to allow people have their faith separate from the Government. Mentioned earlier this was an idea, an idea worth to explore in Americas, that many people look to escape religious oppression in Europe, and looked forward to escape to the

During the revolutionary times, American thinking and literature were greatly influenced by nature, Christianity, and human reason. During this time these aspects might not be what you will imagine today. One can even see evidence of this in our own Declaration of Independence.

The major American event that started it all was the Great Awakening. The Great Awakening was a religious revival that convinced the colonists to repent for their sins and to do good deeds (90-91). It was not just any regular religious movement, but it also united the colonists under one idea with a common history and shared experiences (91). The Great Awakening is important to the American independent’s history because it was started in America, by an American person, and for the American people to unite as a single American people. Since the colonists had united themselves and England for the most part allowed them to rule themselves, they are ready to expand their territory even farther, henced the French and Indian War.