The Importance of Women in the Colonial World Essay

During the time of 1600-1700’s women did not have the same rights as men in other words they did not have any rights at all. Women were treated very poorly with no type of respect. In the book called FIRST Generations WOMEN in COLONIAL AMERICA, by Carol Berkin it talked about various examples of how women were treated. Throughout my essay I will be explaining a few topics that were repeatedly in the book and I found important. Huge topic like gender roles, women population, and men being privilege. It was not easy for women around this time era, because they had to deal with a lot of hurtful things. Women were doing things we would not to today just so they can survive. Even though some women by becoming a mother meant to die soon.

The role of women has changed immensely since colonial times. A woman during colonial times had to give all her money and property to her husband after their marriage. Today that is not what women have to do when they are married. In addition, women had to do chores around the house, some of the jobs would have been teach their daughters, mend and make clothes, take care of the chickens and clean the house. In the present day they can do whatever they want for a job. Women had no voting rights or position in public life, even though recently we had a women run for president. This means a lot has changed in women’s rights and daily life. Women now have a more important role in daily life and in public life.

First Generations: Women in Colonial America delivers a broad analysis over American women in the colonial period. It is evident that married women in colonial America were not considered equal to their husbands or to society in general. The rights of American women have come a long way in regards to civil rights. The control a woman in early Colonial America had over her own life was linked to race, religion, and class. Berkin organizes the first chapters according to race and region. Other chapters are organized by African American women, New England, and the middle colonies, Native American Women, and white women in the Chesapeake. Within each chapter, Berkin gives details about one woman from the region. European, Indian, and African women of seventeenth and eighteenth-century America were protectors of their native land, pioneers on the frontier, like-minded immigrants, and courageous slaves. They were also, as most scholars tend to leave out, just as important as men in shaping American culture and history.

During the American colonial period, the presence of patriarchy was undeniable in both the Massachusetts Bay Colony and Chesapeake colony, but little is known about the important roles that women filled. Although there were many shared roles among women in both colonies, their level of importance in the success of their colonies differed. The Massachusetts Bay Colony women were more essential to the success of their colony than the women of the Chesapeake colony, especially with regards to its economy, education, and religion.

For Europeans, the to be a member of a family you had to be related to the eldest male in the household. This was a total opposite to the Indian society. For example, in the Iroquois society, family membership was determined by the family of the female. At the head of each family was an elder woman, followed by her daughter, their husbands and children, and finally her unmarried granddaughters and grandsons. When one of the men married, he moved to the family of his wife. This was a very sharp contrast to the Europeans, whom had for centuries, been the top of their social hierarchy. In Europe, the women had a very relatively primitive, limited role in society. They were not allowed to attend or partake in political affairs, with very few exceptions. Now, on the other hand, in Indian society there was a council of chiefs, whom was all male, but they were appointed by an elder women. Also, during their deliberation over issues, the males made the final decision, but would be expelled from the council, if they didn?t conclude to the same decision that the elder woman came to. The women's main job in Indian society, was being in charge of cultivation of, harvest of, and distribution of food. When the men left to go hunting, women were left to run society. The Europeans simply believed that the males were far superior to the family, which is why women could not have jobs, and were left to

The book First Generations: Women in Colonial America written by Carol Berkin shares the power of control of a women’s role in the early part of American society was linked to her race and where she lived. In the book Berkin does a great job of giving examples of the life of the colonists. For example, we know that women white women had more freedom than slaves African Americans especially when it came to marriage. If a African American would want to get married to a white man it would be considered a “criminal offensive” ( Berkin 109).

This was a very sharp contrast to the Europeans, whom had for centuries, been the top of their social hierarchy. In Europe, the women had a very relatively primitive, limited role in society. They were not allowed to attend or partake in political affairs, with very few exceptions. Now, on the other hand, in Indian society there was a council of chiefs, whom was all male, but they were appointed by an elder women. Also, during their deliberation over issues, the males made the final decision, but would be expelled from the council, if they didn't conclude to the same decision that the elder woman came to. The women's main job in Indian society, was being in charge of cultivation of, harvest of, and distribution of food. When the men left to go hunting, women were left to run society. The Europeans simply believed that the males were far superior to the family, which is why women could not have jobs, and were left to only clean, cook, and various other household chores.

As Martha Ballard writes in her diary, "A womans work is never Done as the Song says and Happy is shee [sp] whose strength holds out to the end of the rais [race]." Women, like Ballard, contributed useful and skilled labor, though it was often derided, mocked, or overlooked. However, the work of women varied greatly, due to location, social class, race, time-period, and more. This essay will focus on two very different groups of women, early female settlers of the Chesapeake area during the seventeenth century and the Native American women of the Iroquois Confederacy, spread across northeastern New York and Ontario during the same time period. Through the analysis, the necessity of the study of women 's work will become evident; it aids historians in understanding women 's past: including gender perceptions, the myriad of experiences faced by different women, and the changes over that occurred over time.

Women in colonial America played revolutionary roles. They played roles that were always changing. “All men are created equal.” It’s the basis in which America was built, but what about the women? Without women, men wouldn’t have been nearly as successful. But what exactly did women do? Well, different races had different roles to play within their population(WiseGEEK).

The part of women in colonization and culture is often seen as insignificant, but they have always worked alongside the men with equal duty or more, even though the recognition was not equal. The role of women during western expansion was not purely domestic however as the women would often take over the roles typically performed by men. The life of Mary Bommeli

At the same time there is a certain amount of equality between the men and women. Women can perform much of the same tasks that the opposite sex does without much, if any, chastisement or ridicule. Females have about just as much say when it comes to the inner workings of the society like marriages, child rearing, child birth, and ownership of goods and land. Most females are the initiators of divorce as explained in the book. Sexual equality is probably the most apparent amongst the tribesmen and women. Women are at times are forthcoming in their wants and needs when it comes to their sexual appetites and advances.

Gunn Allen is writing about the struggles American Indian women have had through the years with their identities. Writing about American Indian women, Gunn Allen uses ethos and builds her credibility by claiming that she is a “half breed American Indian woman. ”(83) Telling us that she is an American Indian woman herself makes her more believable and trustworthy because she isn’t just speaking fully upon different sources that she has gathered and heard over the years. She is using her own experiences as well as what she has heard from others.

The early rush of volunteers and later the conscription of men led to a shortage of manpower on the home front. Women, already working in munitions factories were encouraged to take on jobs normally done by men.

Native American literature is generally uncommon for the 21st century. Much of the culture and folklore from the older generations of Native Americans has been forgotten. Despite this, Louise Erdrich strives to narrate the Anishinaabe way of life. Her Chippewa Indian mother educated her about native culture and influenced her to write about her heritage. Erdrich’s fictional novel Tracks, illustrates the lives of native tribe members living in North Dakota. The short stories from Tracks, “Snares” and “Matchimanito”, help emphasize Erdrich’s unique style. The elements of style that Erdrich utilizes best are theme and characterization.

Catherine Maria Sedgwick’s novel, Hope Leslie, is set during the time period of the 1600’s. This was a time when the Massachusetts Bay Colony’s government was first being formed. The major events at the beginning of this novel is the end of the Pequot War. This creates a very tense relationship with the neighboring tribes. Sedgwick uses two strong, female characters to convey a message. They allow her to address very important issues. The first being, the idea that being a part of the dominant culture will bring benefits. We see this through the way she narrates the struggles that the neighboring tribes face outside the colony. I also see her discussing women’s’ issues during this time. She uses two very strong female characters from two opposite cultures to highlight the struggles that I have just introduced. During this time social norms were set, and no one really had the confidence to go against the usual. Catherine uses two females, of different cultures to create a theme throughout the novel. Magawisca, a Pequot Indian and Hope, an Anglo-American portray the opposite of the typical women of their culture during this time. By doing this she opens the readers mind to the reality of the conflicts going on. She creatively gives these characters’ certain traits that help to prove her case. That case being that of women are expected to be a certain way. She has been a big contribution to the development of female literacy. Patricia Kalayjian states, “Hope Leslie opposes the