Women and Religion in Early America: The Puritan and Evangelical Traditions, 1600-1820

by Marilyn J. Westerkamp

Women in Early American Religion, 1600-1850 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, the American Revolution, and the second flowering of popular religion in the nineteenth century.
Tracing the female spiritual tradition through the Puritans, Baptists and Shakers, Westerkamp argues that religious beliefs and structures were actually a strong empowering force for women.

Genres: History

240 pages, Hardcover

First published March 4, 1999

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent academic book on the importance and impact of religion in women's lives in the British American colonies, and later the United States. The author ultimately argued that "religion was both an oppressive and an empowering force for women in early America." Oppressive through religious establishments attempting to keep women under control. Empowering in seeing how some women found a way to rise above man-made restrictions in order to pursue what they valued...a personal relationship with God. Anyone interested in understanding the historical significance of the restrictive policies organized religion placed upon women, both in the church and in the home, revealing how they still managed sweet communion through a personal relationship with God despite these barriers, would really enjoy this book. A refreshing look at the religious foundations women helped build in America from the start. Their faith left an enduring legacy.