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I need some input about the social and racial barriers that were broken down because of the Great Awakening. Did the revivals really make a difference in social and racial status of the colonist?
As far as race is concerned – that's a good question. I'm not sure, but I imagine Donnie would know. However, George Whitefield was thought to have stirred up the slaves who revolted in 1741, which points to the egalitarian nature of the movement which crossed racial barriers. In terms of social barriers, I think it would have something to do with the rivalry between the New Lights and the Old Lights, with the former being more of the “peasant class”.http://www.great-awakening.com/figures.htm
I must have missed this topic for some reason. Did the original poster get his or her question answered? It's a good question really.George Whitefield actually crossed the racial barriers in South Carolina, but his efforts were probably too early because the Stono Slave Rebellion was still very vivid in the minds of the Gentry so allowing slaves to organize in worship services scared the bejeezus out of them.
