what movent in the 1730s and 1740s began as a reaction to the decline of religious zeal amoung the colonial population?

Answer 1

The movement you are referring to is the Great Awakening. This religious revival that took place in the American colonies during the 1730s and 1740s was marked by a surge in emotional preaching and a renewed emphasis on personal faith. It emerged as a response to the perceived decline of religious fervor and the influence of Enlightenment rationalism. Key figures in the Great Awakening included Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield, who were instrumental in spreading revivalist ideas and energizing the colonial population's religious sentiments. The movement significantly impacted American society and contributed to a greater sense of individualism and questioning of traditional authority in matters of faith.