Abigail Adams: Women's Suffrage

Introduction Abigail Adams is best known as the second U.S. first lady, however, there’s so much more to her story. Throughout her life, Adams was heavily involved in politics and women’s suffrage. Even before she married John Adams, she was quite vocal about her views on equality. Adams was appointed by the Massachusetts Colony general court in order to defend women’s patriotism. Also, she participated in boycotts and riots, trying to break away from Britain. Adams mingled with women historians and civil rights leaders in order to push for women’s suffrage. Abigail Adams was a civil rights activist, interested in politics, women’s rights, and business ventures.
Biographical Information
Abigail Adams, née Smith was born on November 22, 1744
Women were viewed as objects, and were told only to speak when spoken to. Women, slaves, and free blacks were all one in the same as far as rights; they couldn’t own land, vote, or travel without their husbands. Additionally, “It was almost impossible for a single lady to travel without injury to her character. It was nearly as difficult for married women to go abroad with their husbands.” (Holton 48). Adams vehemently disapproved of double standards, women’s reputations were solely based on their chastity, while men’s were not. Unmarried women were viewed as spinsters, and suitors believed they were tainted and impure. Women in the 18th century didn’t have a voice, nor did they think of defying society’s depiction of
Wives were often mistreated and taken for granted, Adams empathized with them and “wanted a prohibition on spousal battery inserted in the new nation’s “Code of Laws.” (Holton 100). This prohibition would begin Adam’s political career; with her husband’s position in congress, Adams gained new acquaintances and an elevated social status. During the late 1770s, the economy plummeted, and currency had no value. Congress begun selling war bonds, and Adams turned the bonds into loan certificates. The loan certificates depreciated slower than paper currency, helping the economy. This taste of entrepreneurship ignited Adam’s entrepreneurial spirit. In later years, Adams participated in real estate opportunities, purchasing properties with her husband. In addition to real estate, Adams made money in textiles and invested in federal securities.
Research Questions Q: While researching Abigail Adams, I wondered why she was so involved in politics and women’s suffrage; most women in her era didn’t take an interest in such topics.
A: Adams had “ an uncanny ability to take a bird’s-eye view of social situations- to see conversations and relationships from the perspective of a detached observer... Abigail Smith not only possessed that skill, she had something like a compulsion to use it.” (Holton 25). She was
Q: I also wondered if Adam’s upbringing played a part in how