This text explores the first two centuries of America's religious history, examining the relationship between the socio-political environment, gender, politics and religion. Drawing its background from women's religious roles and experiences in England during the Reformation, the book follows them through colonial settlement, the rise of evangelicalism with the "great awakening", the American Revolution and the second flowering of popular religion in the first half of the 19th century. It traces the female spiritual tradition through the Puritans, Baptists and Shakers, arguing that it was a strong empowering force for women.