Final answer:
The mass conversion to Christianity among Africans in the Americas, particularly Methodism, was facilitated by itinerant preachers during the Great Awakening, the establishment of African American churches, and the Free Church Movement combating pro-slavery religious teachings.
Step-by-step explanation:
The mass conversion of Africans in the Americas to Christianity is closely associated with the movement of Methodism. During the first Great Awakening in the 1740s, itinerant Baptist and Methodist preachers played a crucial role in spreading Christianity among enslaved African communities. Unlike other denominations, Methodists and Baptists did not require a well-educated clergy, thereby opening the door for converted slaves to become preachers themselves. This dynamic aided the conversion process and the establishment of African American churches, such as the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
The rise of the Free Church Movement in the North and the emergence of independent Black churches also contributed to the spread of Christianity, with a particular emphasis on creating spaces free from White control and segregation. Public revivals and secret religious experiences both facilitated the spread of Christian culture among African Americans. Additionally, the Africanization of Christianity during this period signified a blending of traditional African beliefs with Christian doctrine, further encouraging the conversion process.
Ultimately, while initially many slaveholders were apprehensive about converting their enslaved workers to Christianity due to fears of insurrection and legal concerns, by the 1800s, they had constructed a theological and legal basis that justified the enslavement of Christians. They believed that exposing slaves to the "right" form of Christianity would make them more obedient and industrious, which in turn would align with the slaveholders' economic interests and alleviate their moral dilemmas.