Why Did Revolutionary America See Both Improvements And Limitations

The american revolution made thoughts of equality arise. In document B, it showcases a court case in which Massachusetts upheld the abolition of slavery. This is an example of how state governments, instead of national governments, were emancipating. Many whites were angry about the growing black’s freedom. However, colonization was a way for critics to oppose slavery, as seen in document D. The American Colonization Society presented a petition to congress to abolish slavery.

Throughout her time in Boston and as the First Lady, Abigail Adams was a persistent advocate of women’s rights. In her letters to John, Thomas, and other family members, she often displayed the issues she had as a married woman at the time. Abigail particularly was a proponent of the rights of married women having to do with property ownership and other disallowed opportunities for women, including the lack of available education. Drawing from a central theme of the Revolution, Abigail often argued to John that women should not and will not follow laws that do not take into consideration the lives of women, nor women continue to be satisfied dedicating their lives entirely to being a domestic partner for their husbands. Knowing that

In both the Revolutionary War and the Civil War, women played a vital part to the success for both wars. Whether women were boycotting their current king, assisting with the soldiers or physically fighting in the war, the outcome was the same, no rewards were granted to the women after the last battle was fought. Women contributed greatly in both wars, but unfortunately, were not acknowledged like male counterparts. From the very beginning of the Revolutionary War women played an important part to help the colonies gain their independence from Great Britain. During the early years of the American Revolution, women made a counter group to the Sons of Liberty, called the Daughters of Liberty.

Between 1825 and 1850, republican motherhood was a term used to illustrate the idea of women’s roles being defined. It encompassed the vision that women should be expected to take time out of their lives and teach their families, specifically children, civil virtues. Expected to have high moral standards and be pure, good civilians, women were put on a pedestal for all to see; meaning, they were intended to act as virtuous girls who had no problems. Women stayed in a sphere, the cult of domesticity, and were not allowed to move from their place and cause trouble. Simultaneously, slaves and African American people were developing their own sphere.

Women were considered inferior to men; they had to rights and most of all no voice. Typically, as the old saying goes ‘they were to be seen and not hear’. Revolutionary Mothers, by Carol Berkin tells of the general stereotypes of women in America, the roles in which they played during the America revolution, and lastly it tells the story of the women through their own words. Stereotypes of Women In chapter one, Berkin states “God had created her to be a helpmate to man….and formed her for this purpose…to be frugal, and obedient (2005, p.4)”.

In a time of fighting for freedom, not all felt free. The new declaration claims “All men are created equal”, leaving the women still with no rights and completely relying on men. Abigail Adams, the wife of John Adams, used her position to bring forward her own strong feminist views and felt women should be included in the declaration. Abigail’s fight for women's rights made an extensive impact on history because she pioneered a path for future women to come. While Abigail Adams fought for women's rights, John Adams thought women should just be house workers and supporters.

A well known suffragist in women’s history is Susan B Anthony. She gave speeches, led protests, and formed committees to help the public realize that “women are citizens” and therefore should be able to participate in events that male citizens are authorized to (Source

The American Revolution was an important time for the American Colonists in their journey to becoming their own independent country. The American colonists changed their views from loyal to Britain in 1763 to rebellion in 1775 and pushed for the formation of a new government. This was caused by of the lack of voice they had in parliament, lack of rights, and violence within the colonies. When the colonists had officially gained their freedom in 1783, it started the formation of civil rights groups and activist groups that are still common and around today as well as the start to a new government. The natural rights of the colonists were first violated after the French and Indian war.

1)The Rise of Cultural Nationalism a)Patterns of Education i)Republican vision encased illuminated individuals, wished across the nation arrangement of free open universities to make taught voters required by republic ii)By 1815 no state had a far reaching open foundation, educating essential by non-open foundations open exclusively to individuals who may pay. Most were pedigreed in viewpoint, prepared understudies to wind up tip top. Couple of schools for poor iii)Idea of "republican mother" to mentor new era couldn't be oblivious, late eighteenth century young ladies started to possess confined training to shape them higher wives and moms no gifted instructing iv)Attempts to mentor "honorable savages" in white culture and change

The role of Women in a republican Society was altered by the American Revolution. Pre-Revolutionary ministers preached the moral superiority for men with alacrity and bombast certainty, thus reducing women to the status of inferior citizens that were unable to voice an opinion other than their husbands. The role of Women came under new light as the concept of Republican Motherhood began to take shape. The term, originally coined in the 1980 's, was earned when society realized that a republic could only succeed if its citizens were educated and raised in the virtues they approved of.

The crisis of the 19th century brought about a movement known as Progressivism. The progressive movement in the South was urban and middle class in nature. Western progressives supported humanitarianism and regulation. Just like in the North and the East black and white women made important contributions to progressive causes. Progressives wanted to end abuses of power, replace corrupt power with humane institutions and apply specific principles and efficient management to economic, social, and political institutions.

Adding on to other limitations, women almost had no freedom in their marriage. Before the women’s rights movement, when a woman is married the “husband and wife are one person” but “that person is the husband” (Doc 7). Once a woman is married, her rights and property were governed by the husband. Married women could not make wills or dispose of any property without their husband’s consent to do so.

Abigail Adams Letter to John Adams In her letter to John Adams, Abigail Adams expresses the lack of freedom among certain groups of people especially the women and the wives of America. Half way through her letter she states, “do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the husbands” in which she basically states there should be a change in how men treat their wives and the women of America. Women were treated as if they were nothing but property, and their body and everything they “owned” or was once theirs, was now in complete custody of their husbands. She goes on to say that “if particular care and attention is not paid to the ladies we are determined to foment a rebellion” in which is another way of her saying pointing out that women are also tired of their lack of freedom.

The Daughters of Liberty The Daughters of Liberty was a group of women activists who fought for the freedom of the colonists from the British Parliament. They were a major factor in protesting against taxes and boycotting British goods. The Daughters of Liberty did whatever it took to free the Patriots from British rule. They accepted women from all ages and all backgrounds.

If women continued to gain power and independence then the fabric of society would disintegrate and gender relations would be altered, which men did not want to happen. Americans had a choice of keeping the practices and ideals of the revolution concerning women or maintain the social