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Oct 1, 1517
Lutheranism
This was a major branch of Protestant Christianity. It identified with the beliefs of Martin Luther, who wrote the 95 Theses. -
First Anglican church in the colonies
It was established in Cape Henry, Virginia. Anglican churches ended up shaping American culture. -
First protestant episcopal parish
It was built at Jamestown, Virginia. This event shows that people in these early American colonies thought religion was extremely important to their daily lives. -
Puritanism
Puritans sought to purify the Church of England from its Catholic practices. Their societies generally did not have a separate church and state. Also, they envisioned Puritan society as a "city upon a hill" or an ideal society. -
Pilgrims began to migrate to North America
They were led by John Robinson and were also called English separatists. This event led to the spread of Christianity and specifically Puritan beliefs throughout certain areas of North America. -
Mayflower leaves Plymouth, England
There were 102 pilgrims on board. In addition, their arrival in North America shaped North American religion and culture. The -
Pilgrims arrive at Salem and start the Massachusetts Bay Colony
This event led to the development of an ideal society according to Pilgrims. This colony ended up having a profound economic impact on America. -
John Winthrop
He helped found and lead the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He was a Puritan and envisioned a "city upon a hill" or ideal society. -
"Dove" and "Ark" Roman Catholic ships arrive in North America
Specifically, they arrived in Maryland, where Lord Baltimore among others helped establish the Roman Catholic religion. There were 128 catholic colonists on board. -
Roger Williams banished from Massachusetts and later established Rhode Island
He was banished for arguing against civil punishments for religious crimes. He founded Rhode Island as a place for people wanting religious freedom. -
Harvard established
It impacted religion in that it was the first college established in North America. It originally was created in order to train future ministers. -
Anne Hutchinson banished from Massachusetts Bay Colony
She was banished for heresy. She was influential in colonial America in that she was one of the few people that spoke openly about the idea of religious freedom. -
Baptism
Baptism was very important to a lot of Christians. Specifically, they believed that it sets people free from sin. -
Toleration Act passed
It was passed by the Maryland assembly. It was important because it protected Roman Catholics from discrimination and harassment by Protestants. -
Pietism
It was a movement in the Lutheran church that stressed personal piety and devotion. The movement stressed emotional church services and having a personal relationship with God. -
Quakerism
It was established as a sect of Protestantism. They wanted to restore the simplicity and spirituality of early Christianity. -
William Penn gets charter to establish Pennsylvania
He was an English Quaker that became the sole proprietor of Pennsylvania. He was persecuted in England because he was a Quaker. So, Pennsylvania became a place people went in order to enjoy religious freedom. -
Salem Witchcraft Trials begin
It started when a woman named Tituba, a slave of Reverend Samuel Parris, Sara Goode, and Sara Osborne were arrested and accused of witchcraft. It occurred in Massachusetts. -
Salem Witchcraft Trials end
They ended because Increase Mather wrote "Cases of Conscience Concerning Evil Spirits." It also ended because the wife of the governor of Massachusetts was accused of witchcraft and as a result the governor wanted to end the Salem Witchcraft Trials. -
George Whitefield
He was a very influential preacher during the First Great Awakening. He also led a lot of revival meetings. -
Jonathan Edwards preaches "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God"
It was important in that it helped begin the First Great Awakening in New England. -
Ann Lee and her followers arrive in America
These people were a part of a group later known as the shakers. -
Richard Allen founds African Methodist Episcopal Church
This was important because it led to more African Americans getting involved at churches. -
The first known Methodist camp was held
This was important because later on these camps were very influential in terms of spreading ideas brought about by the Second Great Awakening. -
Joseph Smith wrote "The Book of Mormon"
It was a very famous book that influenced the beliefs of many Christians. A lot of people became Mormons and eventually migrated to Salt Lake City, Utah. -
Mormons raid a camp of the state militia
It was the first battle of the "Mormon War" in Missouri. It occurred as a result of increasing tensions between Mormons and non-Mormons. -
Joseph Smith lynched
He was killed by a mob because of his authorization of polygamous marriages. -
Brigham Young chosen to lead Mormons
He was chosen to lead the Mormons after Joseph Smith got lynched. -
Mormons left Nauvoo, Missouri to settle in the west
They wanted to spread their religion. -
Charles Darwin publishes "The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection"
It was a very popular book and was considered to be the foundation of evolutionary biology. -
First Women's Christian Temperance Movement meeting was held
It was in Boston and it was founded in opposition to alcohol consumption. -
John Scopes found guilty of teaching Darwinism
This was a very well known case that involved William Jennings Bryan and Clarence Darrow. John Scopes was initially accused of violating Tennessee's Butler Act. -
School District of Abington Township vs. Schempp
This case made it unconstitutional to make religious exercises mandatory in schools. -
Evangelical Resurgence of the 1960s and 1970s
This was a movement that was led by Billy Graham, a famous minister. He addressed various topics in his sermons including abortions and homosexuality. -
1980s
There was a moral revival during this time period. Specifically, religious fundamentalists and a lot of people disapproved of secular humanism. -
1950's
The popularity of the television resulted in a lot of "crusades" for religious revival. People like Billy Graham led these crusades.