The origin of the Anti-Masonic Party is heavily disputed among historians and political scientists. Typically, scholars have debated whether the Anti-Masons arose as the result of changing social or political issues. This thesis argues that while these were certainly factors that led to the creation of the Anti-Masonic Party, it the convergence of evangelical religion and party politics that primarily shaped and influenced the men who influenced the party. A power struggle for control of New York politics began in 1792 and intensified to the 1820s when factionalism resulted in a radical power struggle leaving many New Yorkers disenfranchised and people extremely critical of elected officials. A constant push for egalitarianism developed, allowing Anti-Masons to exploit the downtrodden who were newly enfranchised. Political and religious opportunists such as Thurlow Weed and Charles G. Finney capitalized on the fervent energy found only in western New York, and built a social movement to battle corruption and injustice. The massive political reorganization was so successful religious leaders adopted similar strategies to promote their agenda. The fusion of politics and religion created a unique intensity among the people of western New York. This intensity explains how a state of restlessness and agitation resulted in an Anti-Masonic movement in the 1830s.