Discuss The Role Of Women In The Revolutionary War
Before and during the French and Indian War from about 1650 to 1763, Great Britain not only left its American colonies to fend for themselves amidst Native attack, but also to essentially to govern themselves. This salutary neglect allowed the colonies to create unique political entities, social structures, and establish a new definition of what it means to be an American. However, after the French and Indian War, Great Britain immediately turned to the colonies to replenish their debt through a series of what the colonists viewed as unjust taxes, and strict regulations. These taxes coupled with Great Britain’s refusal to recognize the colonists as British citizens equal to those in Great Britain, eventually induced the American Revolution,
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Others directly provided for soldiers in the war like Molly Pitcher who supplied soldiers with pitchers of water, and at one point even took part in combat. However, all of these contributions did not at first modify the role of women in American society in peacetime. An emphasis was put on “republican motherhood,” a phrase that placed significant importance on mothers instilling republican ideals in their children, and raising proper American citizens. And while this gained women some respect from men, women still were denied the basic rights fought for in the revolution. In response, many women like Molly Wallace in her valedictory address at the Young Ladies Academy of Philadelphia in 1792 (Document 6) questioned why a woman's gender limited her rights as an American citizen. Her address directly was aimed at the male population, women who accepted their inequality in society, and women alike Wallace that sought women’s rights. Before the revolution, women felt destined to maintain only domestic roles in society, however, after a war that introduced new opportunities for women, those like Molly Pitcher were resistant to accept gender inequality. As Abigail Adams voiced in a letter to her husband, men should not forget women, and the role they play in society. On a different front, the revolution also led to further suppression of the Native American population. The patriot victory in the American Revolution resulted in a push for western land, which was occupied by various Native Americans tribes. The aid of tribes such as the Mohawks to the British side in the war effort fortified the American desire to treat the Natives as a conquered people. This lack of recognition of the Native inhabitants in the western push for land, and in the peace accord made with Great Britain following the war angered many Native Americans. It thus led to
Others directly provided for soldiers in the war like Molly Pitcher who supplied soldiers with pitchers of water, and at one point even took part in combat. However, all of these contributions did not at first modify the role of women in American society in peacetime. An emphasis was put on “republican motherhood,” a phrase that placed significant importance on mothers instilling republican ideals in their children, and raising proper American citizens. And while this gained women some respect from men, women still were denied the basic rights fought for in the revolution. In response, many women like Molly Wallace in her valedictory address at the Young Ladies Academy of Philadelphia in 1792 (Document 6) questioned why a woman's gender limited her rights as an American citizen. Her address directly was aimed at the male population, women who accepted their inequality in society, and women alike Wallace that sought women’s rights. Before the revolution, women felt destined to maintain only domestic roles in society, however, after a war that introduced new opportunities for women, those like Molly Pitcher were resistant to accept gender inequality. As Abigail Adams voiced in a letter to her husband, men should not forget women, and the role they play in society. On a different front, the revolution also led to further suppression of the Native American population. The patriot victory in the American Revolution resulted in a push for western land, which was occupied by various Native Americans tribes. The aid of tribes such as the Mohawks to the British side in the war effort fortified the American desire to treat the Natives as a conquered people. This lack of recognition of the Native inhabitants in the western push for land, and in the peace accord made with Great Britain following the war angered many Native Americans. It thus led to