The right answer is: A) A religious movement. The Great Awakening refers to a number of periods of religious revival in American Christian history. Historians and theologians identify three or four waves of increased religious enthusiasm occurring between the early 18th century and the late 20th century. Each of these "Great Awakenings" was characterized by widespread revivals led by evangelical protestant ministers, a sharp increase of interest in religion, a deep sense of conviction and redemption on the part of those affected, an increase of evangelical church membership, and the formation of new religious movements and denominations.