Protestants established their churches in the American colonies early on, their descendants fought in the American Revolution, and they took the lead in conquering the continent and in settling the frontier. Their culture dominated this country throughout the 19th century, and it continues to influence the direction of American life today. Protestant Faith in America, Third Edition focuses on those churches that trace their history to the Reformation within the Roman Catholic Church, including the Lutheran, Reformed, Presbyterian, Congregational, and Episcopal churches. More specifically, this book explores the Protestant faith and addresses the impact these churches and their members have had on American culture and society. Given their early interest in education, they led in the founding of many of the country's most prestigious institutions of higher learning, including Harvard, Yale, Rutgers, and Princeton. Not only are a majority of the country's business and intellectual leaders Protestants, but more than half of the American presidents have been drawn from their ranks. This new edition offers an objective look at the influence Protestant leaders have wielded on the direction of American life, from the early days to the present, through their educational, economic, and political accomplishments.