Please correct me if I'm way off target but was one of the reasons leading up to the acceptance or popularity of the Great Awakening due in part to the Salem Witchcraft trials? The social tensions within the Massachusetts Puritan settlements were at their highest when accusations were made about the use of witchcraft. Then once the trials were over and people saw first hand the results of what had occurred, people questioned the authority of the church. I've always viewed the trials as one of those episodes in history that make the participants and those near it, say to themselves, “huh, lets reaccess our situation”.

I was surprised to see a somewhat similar discussion on this board that I've discussed with my relatives in Germany! My problem with their answers has always been that they seem to focus on points of “good”, ex. the autobahn, etc. that in my opinion cannot possibly justify what occurred during the Holocaust. Maybe I'm too rigid in my thoughts to be able to see it from their angle but I just don't get it…

Oh definitely, Wally. As Benjamin Franklin pointed out in his Q&A session before Commons (ref: The New Prometheus II in his Autobiography) colonists felt connected to England and even looked to England for protection and guidance until the incidents we're discussing occurred. As my history professor pointed out and I don't want to offend anyone here, England tended to view the colonies as a “cash cow”. Not only were the colonies providing natural resources & manpower but with the imposed internal taxes to payback war debts, colonists were being squeezed dry without any recourse in Parliament. 

Thank you all for the warm welcome. The classes I've taken so far are: Early Western Civilization and this semester, Early American History which I'm enjoying immensely. I also tossed in an Intro to Religious Studies this semester which has been somewhat “different” but my semester is nearing its end and I'll finish it by writing a paper on my religion which must encompass the seven dimensions of religion ???LOL, yes, isn't "bookkeeper" an odd word? More so now-a-days since the last time I actually handled a book or ledger was 20 years ago. With the advent of computers and accounting software, everything is can be computed and stored by my trusty harddrive!

I revived this thread because we just finished this era in American History in my college class, so I hope no one is offended. As far as King George's War, wasn't it a source of social tension within the colonies due the economic burden suffered by New Englanders, especially, in relation to their economic losses suffered in Carribean battles?  Granted, New England – especially Boston – was a major shipbuilding center, and merchants profited from contracts to build these ships but eventually the losses outweighed the profits. In addition, the large numbers of Massachusetts farmers who had been sent to fight the war that eventually died proved an additional economical hardship because they left an unprecedented number of widows & children on the relief rolls.  And wasn't another turning point before the Revolutionary War that caused social tensions to increase in the colonies against England the Proclamation of 1763? England believed this boundary would sufficiently keep colonists from venturing into Indian lands but in fact, squatters and land speculation companies had already made claims to lands.The House of Burgesses eventually recognized these claims but England never did due in part to the expense involved in supporting these claims? 

With regards to Aryan culture, you're correct Phidippides. According to my relatives in Germany who experienced WWII & Hitler first hand, proving your “Aryan” culture was of first and foremost importance. Proving ancestry, religious & political affiliation, and your status as a professional, a tradesman, etc. were of dire need towards your survival during this era in Germany.