Final answer:
The religious revival that swept through the colonies in the 1730s and 1740s was called the First Great Awakening. This movement was characterized by a deeply emotional and personal Protestant revivalism that affected both Europe and America, leading to greater religious diversity and a spirit of unity among the American colonists.
Step-by-step explanation:
The religious revival that swept through the colonies in the 1730s and 1740s was called the First Great Awakening. This was a period marked by heightened religious activity and played a significant role in shaping American Protestantism. The movement emphasized direct, emotive spirituality and attracted new members to evangelical denominations like the Baptists and Methodists. Its reach extended across both sides of the Atlantic, affecting British and American societies alike. During the First Great Awakening, key figures such as George Whitefield and Jonathan Edwards were prominent voices who inspired a fervent, personal approach to faith, which often challenged the established religious order. The movement paved the way for increased religious diversity and played a role in laying the groundwork for the American Revolution by encouraging a sense of shared identity among the colonists.
Likewise, the Second Great Awakening began in the 1790s and continued into the 19th century, promoting evangelical Christianity with an inclusive message of salvation available to all through free will. This subsequent revival had widespread social effects, including growth in church attendance and a proliferation of social reform movements such as abolitionism.