What religious movement influenced the American Revolution by promoting ideas of opposition to authority?

Study for the Virginia US History SOL Test. Study with flashcards and multiple-choice questions. Understand historical contexts, key events, and figures. Get ready to ace your exam!

The Great Awakening was a significant religious movement that occurred in the American colonies during the 18th century and played a crucial role in shaping attitudes toward authority, ultimately influencing the American Revolution. This movement emphasized personal faith, emotional preaching, and an individual’s relationship with God over established church doctrines and denominational hierarchies.

As itinerant preachers traveled across the colonies, they encouraged colonists to question traditional authority and the established church's role in their spiritual lives. This questioning fostered a sense of independence among the colonists and paved the way for broader ideas of self-governance and liberty. The sense of empowerment and individualism that emerged from the Great Awakening contributed to a growing belief that people had the right to challenge oppressive systems, including British colonial rule.

The other movements mentioned did have their significance, but they did not emphasize the same radical questioning of authority in the context of the American Revolution. The Protestant Reformation laid foundational ideas about faith and governance but occurred earlier and primarily in Europe. The First Great Awakening is often used interchangeably with the Great Awakening but is less commonly referenced in a way that distinguishes it from the broader movement. The Evangelical Movement, while deeply influential in later periods, arose after the

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