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Difficulty: MediumColonial Society, Culture, and Politics

“Indeed, a dead Ministry is of but little Service... the most of those who are called to the Ministry in this Generation, are but Pharisees... they are as blind as Beetles, and as cold as Ice... they strengthen the Hands of the Wicked, and discourage the Hearts of the Righteous... [and] they do more Hurt than Good...”

— Gilbert Tennent, Presbyterian minister, The Danger of an Unconverted Ministry, 1740

Which of the following developments in the mid-eighteenth century was a direct consequence of the sentiments expressed in the excerpt?

  1. An increase in religious pluralism and the challenging of traditional authority structures.Answer
  2. B
    The alignment of religious and political structures, which erased the demographic differences between the New England and Chesapeake colonies.
  3. C
    The adoption of imperial trade laws designed to promote the economic independence and manufacturing capabilities of the colonies.
  4. D
    The widespread transition from chattel slavery to indentured servitude as the dominant labor system in the southern colonies.

Answer

An increase in religious pluralism and the challenging of traditional authority structures.
The correct answer is correct because Gilbert Tennent's sermon represents the First Great Awakening, a major religious revival that swept the British colonies in the 1730s and 1740s. By directly attacking established ministers, the revivalists challenged the traditional hierarchy of the church and promoted a more democratic, individualistic approach to religion. This contributed to the proliferation of new Protestant denominations (religious pluralism) and helped dismantle traditional deference to political and social authorities.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the stimulus to identify its origin and core message.
The excerpt is from a 1740 sermon by Gilbert Tennent, a key figure in the First Great Awakening, criticizing established ministers as 'unconverted' and spiritually dead.
Understanding the context of the Great Awakening helps connect the text to broader social and cultural shifts in the colonies.
2
Evaluate the historical impact of the Great Awakening on colonial society.
The movement split congregations into 'Old Lights' and 'New Lights,' increasing religious diversity and weakening the control of established state-sponsored churches.
This links the specific religious critique in the sermon to the macro-level trend of growing pluralism.
3
Assess how challenging religious leaders influenced general attitudes toward authority.
By teaching that individuals could interpret scripture and choose their own ministers, the revivalism of the Great Awakening fostered a spirit of individualism and democratic questioning of traditional authorities.
This justifies the selection of the correct option concerning the erosion of traditional authority structures.

Key Concept

The First Great Awakening and its social and political impact on British North American colonies.
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Topics

Colonial Society, Culture, and Politics

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