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The Great Awakening
America had a great awakening on July 8, 1741, when Jonathan Edwards took to the pulpit and preach how sinners were going to hell, not to where everyone thought they were going (1). This took place in Massachusetts, to a crowd of people who thought they were there to here to same old service. With this event, it set in motion the idea of America being able to think on their own and not thinking how the church wanted them to think.
“The “Sinners in the hands of an angry God” Jonathan Edwards. -
Enlightenment Era
After the great Awakening took place, the Enlightenment Era belief in God was becoming a movement in the 18th century (4.4). With this movement there was Benjamin Franklyn living Pennsylvania, was guided with this belief of an individual having a moral compass (4.4). This would open the door for Benjamin Franklyn to be a great leader in the coming years for our country.
OpenStax CNX, U.S. History, chapter 4.
OpenStax CNX, U.S. History, chapter 4. -
Stamp Act
With the British imposing the Stamp Act of 1765 (5.2), it angered the colonist. They were making a point to let the colonists know the imperial way was the only way. The colonist had had enough and decided to stand up for themselves and protested against it (5.2). Without the previous Enlightenment and Great Awakening eras, they may not have stood up for themselves. The colonist realized, they were their own country.
OpenStax CNX, U.S. History, chapter 5. -
Declaration of Independence
July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed. America was now its own country. If the colonist didn’t go through the great awakening, the enlightenment era or the stamp act, they wouldn’t have been able to think to separate themselves from the British. Many colonists came to America for a new start, were poor and saw America as a new way of life. With the Signing of the Declaration of Independence, they had their American dream.
Jefferson, Thomas. "Declaration of Independence" -
Shays Rebellion
With this young country came issues within each state. One state, in particular, Massachusetts, Shay’s rebellion took place, in which farmers took up arms and demanded their debts forgiven and they wanted a fairer taxation system(7.3). They questioned why the elites were catered to in the Massachusetts constitution and not them (7.3). With their uprising, they were able to have the articles of the confederation amended (7.3).
OpenStax CNX, U.S. History, chapter 7. -
Constitution Convention
The Constitutional Convention took place in Philadelphia in February of 1787. At the convention, they came up with the foundation of a federal government by writing the Constitution of the United States. This was a huge step in the United States because it once again united all the states. This is important because it gives a voice to people, unlike when the British ruled, the people did not have a voice in their freedom.
"The Constitution of the United States." National Archives
