To what degree did the American Revolution transform the roles and expectations of women? The American Revolution transformed the roles and expectations of women in multiple ways. One way that the American Revolution changed the way women were portrayed during the American Revolution was that women were not able to do the things that men did. Not because they were incapable of doing them, but because men believed that it was their duty to do such works. The revolutionary war brought many struggles to the lives of many women. Many of these women were known as Red-Coats while others actually fought in the war. Most of these women took small steps towards freedom, some were achieved, but they were still considered inferior to men. There is another way in which the general opinion, that women are inferior to men, is manifested, that bears with tremendous effect on the laboring class, and indeed on almost all who are obligate to earn a subsistence, whether it be by mental or physical exertion—I allude to the disproportionate value set on the time and labor of men and of women. (Doc 8-8 Grimke) Even though many of these women have helped change standing in society by inspiring other women, it has helped them obtain equal rights in the 1920s. The Revolutionary War did not substantially change the …show more content…
For every Attachment, when indulg'd, will engross too much of a female Mind, and leave too little Room for domestick cares: It becomes improper, when best placed, if it breaks out in tiresome Solicitudes and ill tim'd Fondness. I would likewise prohibit all vain Attempts at being foremost in the best of Qualities: For I declare, that in a Woman of Common Sense, can be neither the finest, the best dress'd, the politest, the wisest, the wittiest, or the most religious Woman; She can only be the best Sort of Woman. (8-1) Women had to have a certain degree of standard in order for them to be
American society was greatly affected socially by the American Revolution. Compared to women in Europe, women in America already held a slightly greater role in society. That role would grow even larger by the end of the Revolution. The artwork of the time shows that the American soldiers and minutemen often depended on their wives, not only to assist them in their duties at camp but also to run the communities while they were off
The American Revolution, which happened during the last half of the eighteenth century, reshaped many aspects of life in America. The desire of the Founding Fathers to make America a republic played a very significant part in changing the role of women after the Revolution. The role of women as wives became more important as an emphasis on virtue was established; women were encouraged to find virtuous husbands and utilize their seductive nature to keep men virtuous. The roles of women as mothers also became more important in the republic, as patriarchy loosened and mothers were depended on to educate their children in the republican way. And finally, the role of women in politics was theoretically reduced due to the increasing demands of
The American Revolution changed social effects for women and slaves. For women, gender equality would begin to apprear in Government discussions. Women did not win their fight for sufferage yet but the Revolution began the advancement of women in government causes. Women did in fact participate in the civil war (Document A). After the war women did not want to live the homestead life. Also (Document J) talk about women’s education began during the American Revolution. Before the Revolution, women were not taught how to read or write. Furthermore, slaves on the other hand had big changes also. The idea
Everything discussed in Chapter 7: A Revolutionary Nation and Crash Course videos “The Constitution, the Articles, and Federalism”, “Who Won the American Revolution” accrued between 1770 and 1789. It was in 1776 when Thomas Paine published Common Sense which was a short book of reason why America should become independent from England. Common Sense became the most popular book in the colonies and its ideas traveled fast. That same year the Declaration of Independence was issued by congress. The British made it clear that they wouldn’t allow this by occupying New York. The American Revolution started after multiple conflicts between the colonies and England, both sides were preparing for war following the Declaration of Independence. (Chapter
In the mid to late 1700's, the women of the United States of America had practically no rights. When they were married, the men represented the family, and the woman could not do anything without consulting the men. Women were expected to be housewives, to raise their children, and thinking of a job in a factory was a dream that was never thought impossible. But, as years passed, women such as Susan B. Anthony, Lucretia Mott, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucy Stone, and Elizabeth Blackwell began to question why they were at home all day raising the children, and why they did not have jobs like the men. This happened between the years of 1776 and 1876, when the lives and status of Northern middle-class woman was changed forever. Women began to
During the American Revolution, colonists united to fight Britain for their natural rights. Often forgotten heroes are the ladies, who have found their own ways to shape their country. Their ideas have been implemented keeping in mind women's place in society. Some of these contributions to the Revolution include dressing up as men, boycotting British goods, and influencing others' political opinions among many others. There is no doubt that women have made their mark in the American Revolution in numerous ways.
The American Revolution was a stepping-stone towards helping to change women’s role in society. Women of the Republic explains to readers the radicalism that Republican Mothers had a hand in during the creation of America at the time of the Revolution. Kerber shows that the American Revolution was able to help ignite the alterations that women were fighting for to prove that they belonged equally on the side of men. The ideology of the Republican Motherhood was able to provide proof from the letters, diaries, and records kept to show the participation of the women who helped establish the important role they played in society for women
The impact on women in the revolution was very powerful. The impact was stronger based on who the person sided with. If a woman was sided with the Patriots she had the freedom to choose what she wanted to do.
In addition, the revolutionary war affected the political situation of the United States as well. This is because after the revolutionary war of independence, women’s were able to obtain several rights that were not available to them before the war. Before the war, the women in the American colonies were not given the right to work outside their houses and possessed no right to take any decisions regarding politics, businesses, homes, or property. However, after the revolutionary war, a handful of women such as Mercy Otis Warren and Abigail Adams became a part of the politics (MacLean). Furthermore, a campaign also began to provide the women with the education and establish gender equality. Thus, the American Revolution improved the status of the women in the society and improved the political situation of the women later on due to which the women in the United States are given the opportunity to vote now. Therefore, the American Revolution changed the structure of the United States else the women would still be not given certain rights which they possess now.
In Revolutionary Mothers by Carol Berkin, Carol tries to make an argues that the revolution war isn’t just about the men, it’s also about the women and their important roles that they had during the war as well. Most history books don’t talk about the roles that the women do during wars, it’s mostly just about the men and what is going on, or why it’s happening. In this book she focuses more on the women of that time to hear their side of the story.
The American Revolution brought great change to the colonies, and what became the United States of America. It brought freedom to the colonists from British rule, brought in a new system of government, and changed the lives of citizens in the colonies. Whether it be during the war, or after the war, women experienced a great change in how they lived their lives. All women were affected, from patriots, and loyalists, to Native Americans and Slaves. From their roles in families, to the way they were perceived by others in their areas, the lives of women would change during and after the revolution.
The American Revolution, as many would assume, changed the lives of several groups of people both politically and socially. Depending on the group of people, the revolution either improved or diminished the quality of life for some. When looking at the quote, "The American Revolution was not truly revolutionary. Unlike later revolutions in France, Haiti, Russia, China, and Cuba, the American Revolution did not result in broad changes in American society,” I agree with this statement when examining women before, during and after the revolution. Though, women were the group of people who worked the most, they received the least. The American Revolution did not grant women the rights and liberties they fought hard to acquire, even with the subtle changes that only continued to oppress them. During the revolution, while men were away women were the ones who took over many of their responsibilities such as farm and shop work. They aided male soldiers with simple yet important necessities such as military weapons, food and health care.
Most documents of the American Revolution have accounts of different men playing key roles in the war, but they were not the only ones who helped America gain its freedom from Britain. In the Revolutionary War, women also played important roles, and they were often active in their homes and the politics as well as in the battlefield. Women were also fundamental to the victorious outcome of the American Revolution.
The American Revolution was a fight for independence. This battle was fought for eight-years with men on the forefront, and women in the background. The colonial woman was a homemaker. She cooked meals, made clothing, and doctored the family. At this time in America, men felt that women were beneath them and could not perform the man’s duties. However, homemakers went behind the scenes of the battlefield, and assisted in a number of different jobs. These jobs, to name a few, included being nurses, seamstresses, cooks, maids, laundresses, water bearers, soldiers and spies. Unbeknownst to the men, women would actually be needed and play a vital role in this war.
Equality of the sexes was an idea that was unheard of prior to the Revolutionary War due to the widely-held belief that women were inferior to men. Before the war, women tended to engage in household chores and fundamentally had no rights. Men were a predominant part of all aspects of life in Colonial America including political, social, and economic matters. Women played a significant role in the American Revolution due to their constant concern to fight for what they believed in, which is independence from Great Britain. Before the revolution, women were considered the weaker sex, both physically and mentally, which resulted in many women’s lack of independence in both social and political matters. Although the revolution did not provide