CHAPTER 5 • SECTION 1 The Great Awakening inspired colonists to help others. George Whitefield (HWIT•feeld) drew thou- sands of people with his sermons and raised funds to start a home for orphans. Other ministers taught More About . . . Christianity and reading to Native Americans and African Americans. George Whitefield The Great Awakening helped develop Ameri- can identity by encouraging a belief in spiritual George Whitefield often spoke outdoors equality. It also inspired religious debate, which because some churches would not allow increased religious diversity. him in, and most were too small to hold the The movement encouraged colonists to chal- large crowds anyway. Whitefield possessed lenge authority and question traditional religious a strong voice. At times, listeners who practices. Once this had happened, it was easier to disagreed with his message threw stones challenge other social and political traditions. In and garbage at him while he delivered his History Makers this way, the movement laid the groundwork for sermon. revolt against British authority. Ben Franklin 1706–1790 EVALUATE Describe how religion changed society. See margin. As an Enlightenment thinker, Benjamin Franklin used reason and scientific methods to improve society. The Enlightenment At 42, he retired from business to devote his life to KEY QUESTION How did the Enlightenment Teach science and public service. He proved that lightning influence the colonists? The Enlightenment was a form of electricity. Then he invented the lightning rod to protect buildings. The Franklin stove Unlike the Great Awakening, which explored reli- and bifocal eyeglasses were also his inventions. He gious emotion, the Enlightenment emphasized Roleplay Your Answer organized a fire department, a lending library, and a human reason and science as the paths to knowl- • What was the basic philosophy of the society to discuss philosophy. Later he helped draft edge. It encouraged the belief that human beings could use rational thought to improve themselves Enlightenment? (Human reason and science the Declaration of Independence. and their society. Benjamin Franklin was a famous can be used to gain knowledge and improve American Enlightenment figure. He conducted sci- society and our lives.) CRITICAL THINKING entific experiments to discover the laws of nature. Connect to Today • How did the discovery of natural scientific Consider how Franklin’s Belief in Progress Writers of the Enlightenment laws affect people’s thoughts about society? abilities could be useful today. For example, how might Franklin solve environmental problems? condemned tyranny and superstition and chal- (We believed that there were natural laws lenged traditional social practices. They valued governing societies, too.) justice and equality and called for social and politi- For more on Ben Franklin, go to the ONLINE Research & Writing Center cal change. Like the Great Awakening, the Enlight- • Main Ideas and Details What was John BIOGRAPHY Locke’s basic idea about the relationship @ ClassZone.com enment had far-reaching effects on the colonies. The Enlightenment began in Europe, as scientists between people and their government? Answer: The Great discovered natural laws governing the universe. In (Because governments were created by people, Awakening caused the colonies, at first only educated, wealthy people who could afford new people have the right to change them.) religious debate, led books were familiar with Enlightenment ideas. But soon the values of the to increasing religious diversity, and encouraged Enlightenment influenced the wider population. Other Enlightenment thinkers applied the idea of natural law to human RESEARCH & some churches to WRITINGGo online toCENTER explore welcome African societies. The English philosopher John Locke challenged the belief that more of the heated Americans and Native debate at kings had a God-given right to rule. For many centuries, European kings Americans into the ClassZone.com History Makers congregations. had claimed that they were divinely appointed by God to rule their king- doms. Locke challenged this idea. He also claimed that because govern- Ben Franklin Find links to biographies of Ben Franklin at 132 Chapter 5 the Research and Writing Center @ ClassZone.com. Point out that scientists DIFFERENTIATING INSTRUCTION: TIERED ACTIVITIES over the years have used experiments similar to Franklin’s to solve problems and improve technology. OBJECTIVE Give an oral presentation about Benjamin Franklin from his point of view. CRITICAL THINKING ANSWER Basic On Level Challenge Connect to Today Possible Answer: Franklin could help find ways to reduce air Give students books about Have students use classroom Have students research pollution, eliminate solid waste safely, and Benjamin Franklin. Have resources to research details details about Franklin’s role generate alternative energy solutions. them research the details about Franklin’s scientific as an Enlightenment figure. below, then give an oral experiments and inventions. Then have them prepare Unit 2 Resource Book presentation about Franklin’s Then have them give an a speech describing and • America’s History Makers, pp. 169–170 life from his point of view. oral presentation describing evaluating specific ways • family the impact one of Franklin’s Franklin used Enlightenment • apprenticeships and jobs inventions had on American ideas to improve American society—from Franklin’s society. Speeches should be • inventions point of view. written and delivered from • role in writing U.S. Franklin’s point of view. government documents 132 • Chapter 5 ments were created by consent of human beings, CHAPTER 5 • SECTION 1 then human beings had a right to change them. Locke argued that people have natural rights. These are the rights to life, liberty, and prop- erty. He insisted that people have the right to CONNECT to the Essential Question change a government that does not protect their natural rights. Locke’s ideas would become very influential among American colonists who were What traditions, events, and forces dissatisfied with the political relationship with helped form an American identity? Britain. Ask students what they have learned so far Enlightenment writers such as John Locke that can help them answer this question. encouraged a belief in progress—the idea that human beings can improve society and the Students might mention: world. The Enlightenment idea of progress • Opportunities to own land created a would become one of the fundamental beliefs unique society and class system. of American culture. In the following centuries, Ben Franklin experiments • Hard work and education were valued. this optimistic hope for a better future would help Americans through many with electricity. periods of uncertainty and change. • Immigrants created a diverse society. Enlightenment ideas of progress, natural rights, and government by • The Great Awakening and the agreement had a strong impact on colonial leaders. Such ideas encouraged Enlightenment encouraged people to colonists to reexamine their political ties to Britain. They also sparked politi- question traditional authority. cal debate throughout the colonies. The colonists were beginning to see the Answer: The British government as a threat to their rights and freedoms. Enlightenment challenged the belief SUMMARIZE Explain how the ideas and values of the Enlightenment influenced that kings were divinely the colonists. appointed to rule. 4 Assess & Reteach

ONLINE QUIZ Assess Have students complete the Section Section Assessment For test practice, go to Assessment. 1 Interactive Review @ ClassZone.com Unit 2 Resource Book TERMS & NAMES KEY IDEAS 1. Explain the importance of 3. How did the abundance of land in America shape • Section Quiz, p. 183 colonial society? • Great Awakening • George Whitefield Interactive Review 4. How did the Great Awakening and the • Enlightenment • Benjamin Franklin @ ClassZone.com • Jonathan Edwards • John Locke Enlightenment affect the colonies? USING YOUR READING NOTES CRITICAL THINKING Power Presentations 2. Main Ideas and Details Complete the diagram 5. Compare and Contrast How did the colonial you started at the beginning of this section. class system differ from the class system in Europe? Test Generator 6. Make Inferences Why was the literacy level so high in New England? Reteach Divide your class into four groups Detail Detail Connect to Today and assign each group one of the section’s four Main Idea 7. What modern American The colonies differed values can be traced back to the Great Awakening subheadings. Ask groups to find the main idea from older, European and the Enlightenment? of their assigned section and find at least three societies. 8. Writing Report Research and write a short Detail details that support the main idea. Have groups Detail report on Benjamin Franklin’s contribution to the understanding of electricity. write their information on the board. Unit 2 Resource Book • Reteaching Activity, p. 186 Beginnings of an American Identity 133

SECTION 1 ASSESSMENT ANSWERS

Terms & Names Critical Thinking 1. Great Awakening, p. 131; Enlightenment, 5. The colonies had a much larger middle class Report Rubric p. 131; Jonathan Edwards, p. 131; George and no “titled” aristocracy. Whitefield, p. 132; Benjamin Franklin, p. 132; 6. Many colonists taught their children to read Content Accuracy John Locke, p. 132 in order to understand the Bible, and many 4 logical, thorough; clear no errors Using Your Reading Notes colonies established public and free schools. evidence of research 2. Details—Land was cheaper and more 7. modern notions of religious diversity, 3 logical; based on research few/minor abundant; more of the population had the right questioning traditional authority; ideas of errors to vote; there was a large middle class; there natural rights, government by consent, and scientific observation 2 vague connection; little several errors was a huge underclass of slaves in the South. evidence of research 8. Reports should include details about Franklin’s Key Ideas lightning experiments and his contributions to 1 inaccurate connection; many errors 3. More people could acquire land, raise their electrical technology. Use the rubric to score no evidence of research social status, and participate in politics by students’ reports. voting. 4. promoted religious diversity and inspired people to question authority Teacher’s Edition • 133