In this lecture, Professor Totten argues the Enlightenment and First Great Awakening were critical social and intellectual events that contributed to the lead up to the American Revolution. The Enlightenment emphasized empirical evidence, logic, and scientific reason instead of faith as an explanation for the world around them. Scientists and philosophers made critical discoveries and put forward novel ideas that influenced generations, including the founding fathers. The First Great Awakening led to a new expression of evangelical faith that created new Protestant denominations of Baptists, Methodists, and Presbyterianism. The challenging of the old religious order, led to a democratization of religion, and the awakening provided a shared cultural experience for colonial Americans that proved pivotal in the coming of the Revolution. After all, if they were willing to challenge social elites and preachers, why not challenge the rule of an arrogant king.

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