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Puritan New England-Seal of Massachusetts Bay Colony (1629)
Puritanism was the religion most widely practiced in the New England colonies in early eighteenth century. Their aim was to freely practice a model of reformed Protestantism, and reform the Indians by giving them the word of God. The seal of the Massachusetts Bay Colony clearly demonstrated the intention of the Puritans, showing a partially clothed Indian begging "come over and help us." Puritans proved to be intolerant as they banished those who challenged the Governor. -
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Religion in American Society 1700-1812
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The First Great Awakening-George Whitefield (1734)
The First Great Awakening began in the 1730s and continued into the 1740s. The preachers and ministers left behind the formal way of worship and embraced a more vigorous type of religion. Famous evangelists of this time period, George Whitfield and Jonathan Edwards would spread the word of god with emotion, often shouting the word of God from the pulpit, sometimes even weeping. Colonists flocked to hear the sermons of these ministers in the countryside. -
Revolutionary War-Portrait 1786
During the Revolutionary War, more than 100 colonial pastors served as chaplains in the colonial army. A smaller number of Anglican priests served, many joined the British army. During the war many churches found themselves without a religious leader. To honor the pacifist ways of the Mennonites and Quakers, many state legislatures did not require these to groups to join the colonial army. -
Battle of Springfield-Portrait of Reverend James Caldwell-1885
Reverend James Caldwell, an avid supporter of religious liberty, influenced many parishioners to enlist in the Continental Army in addition to serving as chaplain himself. Many called him the patriot pastor. In the Battle of Springfield, American troops ran out of paper wadding to load bullets into their weapons. Rev. James Caldwell ran into a church and came out with Isaac Watts hymnals. He distributed them to the troops and told them "Give 'em Watts boys." -
Virginia Act of Religious Freedom-1779
On January 15, 1786, the Virginia Assembly passes the Virginia Act of Religious freedom into law. It was first drafted in 1777 by Thomas Jefferson. The law terminated the Church of England's role in government in the commonwealth of Virginia. It gave all people in Virginia the freedom to practice all christian denominations, as well as those of Hindu, Jewish, and Muslim faiths. This law paved the way for the first amendment in the Bill of Rights in the Constitution of the United States. -
The Second Great Awakening-Drawing 1801
The Second Great Awakening Began in 1790 and continued to the 1850s. This religious movement transitioned Americans to a focus of personal sins and turning to God for salvation. The revivals were set up in a camp type setting. The excitement of these services would draw hundreds, even thousands to the area, people could be seen singing, shouting, and dancing. After attending the multi-day revivals the converts would return to their small towns and join or create new churches.
