What factors are necessary to cause a transition from one era to another

There are many factors that are involved when an era transitions to the next. It usually involves a large change in political, social, and economic factors. Examples are colonization, economic progress or downfall, or changes in the government. Each era has a corresponding theme that is heavily influenced by important events that have happened within it. Examples are the age of enlightenment, industrial revolution and the renaissance. 

how did the great awakening contribute to the develpment of the united states