Religion and Revolution

Religion in America

Religion as a Cause of Revolution

u   Revolutionary heritage

u  Resistance to Catholicism and tyranny

u  Resistance to Anglican hierarchy

u   Millennial expectations

u  Great Awakening; French & Indian War, 1754-63

u   Quebec Act of 1774

u  Took away assembly, legalized Catholicism, expanded borders

u  “For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies”

War and the Churches

u   New England clergy: solid supporters of the war

u  Sacred cause of liberty

u  Memories of Charles I and Cromwell

u   Loyalist churches split

u  Anglican Church dealt severe blow

u  Methodist Church fades

u   Presbyterians divided

u  John Witherspoon

u   Baptists reluctant

u   Catholics support the Revolution

u  Charles Carroll

u   Quakers: pacifists versus Patriots

Attempt to land a bishop
in America, 1769