What was the first religious development to have an impact throughout colonial America?

The Great Awakening was a significant religious revival that swept through the American colonies in the 18th century, beginning in the 1730s and lasting into the 1740s. This movement was characterized by a surge in evangelical fervor and the emergence of new denominations, emphasizing personal faith, emotional experience, and a direct relationship with God. It encouraged the questioning of established authority and traditional religious practices, leading many colonists to seek a personal connection with spirituality rather than solely relying on established churches.

The impact of the Great Awakening was profound, as it not only fostered a sense of shared American identity among diverse groups, but also encouraged a spirit of independence and critical thinking that would later influence political movements in the colonies. The revival's itinerant preachers traveled widely, reaching diverse populations and igniting congregational growth across various regions. Thus, the Great Awakening was a seminal religious development that shaped the social and cultural landscape of colonial America, influencing religious practices and fostering a greater openness to different beliefs.

In contrast, while the establishment of religious toleration in Maryland was crucial for religious freedom and had its own importance, it was more localized and did not achieve the widespread influence of the Great Awakening. The spread of Quaker ideas