The Great Awakening was a series of religious revivals that swept through the American colonies in the 1730s and 1740s, led by evangelical preachers like Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield. It emphasized personal piety, emotional conversion, and a direct relationship with God, challenging the established church hierarchies. The movement had a profound impact on colonial society, fostering a sense of shared identity and promoting democratic and egalitarian ideals. It also contributed to the growth of new denominations and the spread of literacy, as people read the Bible and religious tracts.

The Great Awakening had a significant impact on American literature, fueling a surge in religious writing, including sermons, diaries, and conversion narratives. Jonathan Edwards is a key figure in this tradition, and his sermons, such as 'Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,' are powerful examples of American rhetorical and literary style. The movement also influenced the development of a distinctly American voice in literature, emphasizing emotion and personal experience.