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

Attempt to land a bishop
in America, 1769

War and the Churches

u Congregational 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, Presbyterian Founding Father

u Baptists reluctant

u Catholics support the Revolution

u Charles Carroll, Catholic Founding Father

u Quakers: pacifists versus Patriots