Revolutionary War Women's Roles

The American Revolution was a war between the 13 colonies and Great Britain. The colonies, trying to gain their freedom, revolted against their mother country, which resulted in a war. The war lasted from 1765 to 1783 and as a result, the colonies gained independence from Great Britain and became the United States of America. While white, male Americans participated in the American Revolution, women, African Americans, and foreigners were also involved. While women, African Americans, and foreigners participated in the American Revolution, their contributions and motivations varied.

During the Revolutionary War, women played major roles in combat. From supportive positions like maids, cooks and nurses to auxiliary roles such as spies or secret soldiers. The Daughters of Liberty did more than their share to help win America’s independence. Deborah Samson Gannett, from Plymouth, Massachusetts, concealed herself as a soldier named Robert Shurtlieff Samson. Robert was the name of her now deceased brother. (Wienkop) Deborah came from a very poor family

However, there was no doubt that women attempted to change their role. For instance, they created groups such as the Daughters of Liberty and the Ladies Association. The Daughters of Liberty was named as the female version of the Sons of Liberty, who were known for throwing chests of British East India Company tea in the Boston Harbor during the Boston Tea Party (Document A). However, since ladies were not expected to take part in such harsh rebellions, they had their own silent rebellions in which they would boycott the purchase and use of goods manufactured in England by making their own goods, such as sewing clothes. Some women even tried to persuade men to change these roles. For example, Abigail Adams, the wife of politician John Adams, wrote a letter to her husband that included keeping women in mind when drafting the Constitution of the United States. Abigail pleaded her husband to "Remember the Ladies, and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors" (Document D). However, even if John Adams had proposed the idea of giving the women more rights than they previously had, nothing changed and the American Revolutionary

Historians once presumed that, since women during the American Revolution had limited or no political decisions, and demonstrated little concern in achieving the franchise, they were fundamentally apolitical members of the society. In the modern world, scholars acknowledge the fact that women played a leading role during the war and they were actively involved in debates, which accompanied the movement towards independence, and that the war expanded their territories in their political and legal roles. Furthermore, the male welcomed women’s support during the war that was a very instrumental move towards the expansion of the women’s roles in the society unlike in the past when women were restricted to household chores. As women filled important roles because of the shortage of men to fill these roles, like managing business and farms, the idea that females were lesser than males started to fade away (Bielich, 2008). The laws prior to and during the revolution did not acknowledge females as equal to men in

Women from all over the world have been faced with many difficult problems since the beginning of time. Women in the past have had to fight for their rights of education, freedom, sexual choices, and their freedom to work. Women today still face problems because of their gender, but times are slowly but surely changing. Before the Revolution women had no say in any activities they participated in. Women had to obey their husbands, give them sex whenever they wanted, had no choice over reproductive patterns, were strictly in charge of taking care of the house and children, and were not allowed to leave the homestead. Joan R. Gundersen argues that the women of the American Revolution gained more than they had lost. She believed at that time the greatest changes appeared enhancing the lives of everyday women.

The American Revolution began in 1775 as a war between the thirteen colonies in Great Britain and North America. There was a series of events that caused The American Revolution. This Revolution showed roles of woman at the time.When the war ended,and the colonies won their independence.Once the colonies won they all combined together to make the United States of America.

Prior to the revolution, women were expected to care for the children, serve their husbands and had domestic roles. During the time period of 1775 to 1800, women had a role in the revolution. Document A expresses the idea that not only all men, but all women were expected to take part in this revolution. The woman is shown as a patriot, which gives the idea that during that time, women were equal to men at the time of the revolution because it required help from both women and men. While the Americans decided to boycott all British goods, women had to provide the products that were previously given to them by Britain. While their husbands were at battle during the revolution, women had to take care of the farms and businesses, as well caring for the children. By nature, women were nurturing and caring for the family and taking care of homelife. How women viewed their responsibilities changed, especially in the late 1790s. Document J shows how women believed that they had rights and freedoms. They believed that if they had the ability to read and write and were permitted education, that they should also be granted the freedom of speech. During this time women wanted the opportunity to speak up and not be subjected to only caring for the family. This freedom granted women with greater roles which they did not have prior to the

In the early 1800's, many of the women in the United States were coming to realize that they wanted to obtain more rights. The male gender had way more rights than women, and they had run more things than women. Finally, women began to come forward to voice their opinions about how men and women are made to be equal; no less, no more. It was now time for women to go out and pursue whatever they wanted to pursue and not have to worry about the fact that they are females or that they are weaker or have less education than a man. The Seneca Falls Convention would soon be one of the biggest victories for women's rights.

"Thus the first political act of American women was to say, 'No'" (p. 13). Mercy Otis Warren, Abigail Adams, Deborah Franklin, Lucy Knox, Catherine Greene, and Martha Washington's roles were detailed. A woman such as Deborah Sampson camouflaged as men and fought and chooses to follow and cater to their husbands during the war. Margaret Corbin was one of the women who maintained water supply for cooling the cannons used for fighting. Berkin's chapter on female couriers, saboteurs, and spies for both sides is especially fascinating. Deborah Champion carried dispatches; Sybil Ludington warned her countrymen in Danbury, Connecticut that the British were approaching. Berkin adds new detail using the memoirs of Lydia Darragh, Emily Geiger, Mammy Kate, and Martha

Women in the Revolution by Mary Beth Norton explains the hardships that women faced during the American Revolutionary War. Throughout the writing it is explained women’s role in the Revolution and how they impacted the lives of others. In the writing it explains specific groups of women and how they were influenced by the war. Throughout the war women faced just as many difficulties as those who were fighting in the war. The efforts of women in the revolutionary war were very important in the course of women’s civil rights.

The desire of the Founding Fathers to make America a successful republic played a significant part in changing the many roles that women found themselves in after the Revolution. The role of women as wives became more important as republican ideals established an emphasis on marriage. Society saw marriage as a miniature representation of a republic. Therefore, republican ideals like independence and the freedom from arbitrary power allowed women as wives more value and power within their families. The roles of women as mothers also became more important in the republic, as patriarchy loosened and the nation depended on mothers to educate American children in the republican way. And finally, the role of women in politics was theoretically

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 war took made a large impact on the economy of the colonies. Although there were a few businesses that performed exceptionally during the war. With the colonies and Britain not getting along, a number of countries were determined to slow down the trade with America. Therefore, by the end of the war taxes exceeded the limit, and prices followed shortly behind. However, once again the colonial women saved the day as they are known as a very influential group. It is very fascinating due to the nature of these women, yes, they did not have much freedom and independence before the war, however, in time they shone their light victoriously with their passion of giving and not expecting anything in return. The many organizations that were held

A lot of things have changed for women over the centuries in context of politics and family beliefs. There were many negative aspects on how women were viewed and treated in the nineteenth century. Several of these circumstances are addressed in an article printed by the Encyclopedia of the United States called “Women”. Although men would argue that their actions were fair and realistic because of the logic that men had successfully, physically and financially took care of their wives and children for an adequate period of time. On the contrary, during that time period, the women’s suffrage movement came into order, inventing laws to pursue rights and fair opportunities for women as they were for men. As

Washington, John Adams or Paul Revere. However, not all the heros in the Revolution were men,