Religious Influence in the New World

Student's Name Professor’s Name Course Date Religious Influence in the New World Religion was instrumental in shaping the New World right from the initial Spanish Exploration to the religious revival that characterized the Great Awakening. The message and tactics of various religious groups underwent significant transformations, which reflected a shift in cultural and societal dynamics in America. On one hand, the Spanish fostered the conversion of Indian and Black Americans to Catholicism, while on the other hand, the religious groups in British colonies altered their preaching to appeal more to the masses. Christian ministers such as George Whitefield transformed the role of Christianity in the lives of people and in shaping the development of the new world. The Spanish exploration of the New World was driven to a great extent by both Catholicism and imperialism which worked together to expand Spanish territories. In this sense, the Catholic Church facilitated the Spanish conquest by converting the natives to Christianity. The Catholic Church sent several orders, including the Dominicans, Franciscans, Augustinians, and Jesuits to foster the conversion of indigenous populations to Catholicism (Ellington 66). As these orders by the Catholic Church converted natives to Christianity, it facilitated the expansion of the Spanish territory. It is important to recognize that the missions by the Catholic Church sought to spread Christianity as well as to consolidate the control of Spain over the new territories. In this sense, the Catholic Church compelled natives to abandon ...