The Great Awakening started as a questioning of religion and authority of government. This led to tolerance of new beliefs. The Great awakening created a sense of shared American identity that affected the people who experienced it all across the colonies. People grouped together no matter were they were from or whom they were. It also led to religion for black slaves and Indians because of missionaries.
             There were many causes and effects of the great awakening. One cause was the low attendance at churches. People thought what is the need to go to church if we can earn or way to a higher place ourselves? After people challenged the church the thought why can't we question the government? The government was threatened by this because they knew the people could and would. It had many effects like the growth in amount of churches. The churches were very competitive to get people to attend their churches. It also lead to many new colleges referred to as the "New Light".
             The great awakening had a very intense religious revival. There were many people who led revivals for religious reasons. Jonathan Edwards was one of the first and then George Whitefield who made the biggest impact of all the revivalists. George Whitefield went along the Atlantic seaboard preaching looking for sinners who would convert. People who converted felt very independent being able to do what they wanted freely. People who did not convert criticized conversion, also viewed the converters as a threat to established order.
             The awakening gave America a sense of shared identity. During the great awakening everyone came together due to religion and to convert. Even Indians were involved with Americans religion because of missionaries. All people no matter what race, sat in the same church listening to people like George Whitefield. The awakening was a big step because it brought all people in America together.
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