1. Unit 2: Forming a Nation
Section 1: Becoming America

2. Essential Questions: Section 1
• Did colonial America’s social, economic,
religious, and racial diversity fuel the drive
towards independence?
• Was America destined to be a Christian
nation? Are religious principles at the heart of
our democratic ideals?

8. Elements of Great Awakening
A. Enthusiasm--emotional
manifestations, in contrast to
staid and formal Anglican and
Congregational worship.
B. Whitefield would preach to
crowds as large as 30,000 with
great emotion.
C. Democratic religious movement
1) insisted that all should
have the religious
experience
2) Stirred impulse towards
independence among
colonists
3) Broke down strong
denominational ties
4) Challenged religious
authority. Baptists in the
South preached to slaves
and against the
ostentatious wealth of the
planter class

9. Effects of Great
Awakening
1. Creation of new
colleges to train
ministers-----Brown,
Princeton, and Rutgers
2. Division between
denominations rational
vs. experiential
3. Development of a
revivalism tradition in
American religion
• Second Great
Awakening
• Later 19th and 20th
century revival
movements in
urban areas.

11. Section 2
THE ROAD TO REVOLUTION

12. Essential Questions
• Did capitalism drive us towards
independence? How did it shape colonial
society?
• Were American patriots justified in revolting
against British rule?

15. Move Toward Independence
Key factors
1. Constitutional factor--colonists demanded the
right to examine the purpose for each law
passed, refusing to obey those that raised
revenue.,
2. Social conflicts factor
a) Lower class discontent resulted from limited
franchise, established churches, inheritance laws.
b) Upper class colonists welcomed protest
support from lower classes at first, but became
alarmed with mob violence. England now had
two groups of protestors to deal with.

16. Section 3
THE FIGHT FOR INDEPENDENCE

19. Section 3
ESTABLISHING A REPUBLIC: SILENCING
REBELLION AND SHAPING AMERICAN
POLITICAL CULTURE

20. Essential Questions
• How fragile was the nation at its inception?
• How the founders’ political debates are still
played out today?

21. • Shays' Rebellion (1786) broke
out in western
Massachusetts with
frustrated farmers losing
their farms due to mortgage
foreclosures and tax
delinquencies.
• Massachusetts authority put
down the uprising with force
(killing three) b) Leaders
throughout the nation
worried about the potential
of domestic unrest.