Which religious movement in the 1730s and 1740s is believed to have unified the colonists and supported their independence?

The First Great Awakening, which occurred in the 1730s and 1740s, was a significant religious revival movement that swept across the American colonies. It emphasized a personal relationship with God, emotional expressions of faith, and the necessity of individual conversion. Preachers like Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield drew large crowds and encouraged colonists to question traditional religious authority and practices, which fostered a sense of individualism and independence.

This movement contributed to the unifying of colonists as it crossed denominational lines and spurred a sense of shared identity among diverse groups. The emphasis on personal faith and the questioning of established clergy played a crucial role in awakening a collective consciousness. This growing sense of individual and collective autonomy helped lay the groundwork for later revolutionary sentiments, as colonists began to view their governance and social institutions with increased skepticism.

In contrast to the other movements listed, such as the Second Great Awakening, which occurred in the early 19th century, or the Social Gospel Movement and Transcendentalism, both of which emerged later, the First Great Awakening uniquely positioned itself within the context of the pre-revolutionary period, making it a key influencer in the colonies' path towards independence.