1. What are some of the key ideas of the letters between John and Abigail Adams?
The first idea is to remember the ladies. She states that men should not be given all the power. If the ladies are paid no attention it was bound to inspire a rebellion against this tyrant like behavior. If women have no voice, they will not be happy. If men need the title of master women will act differently than if they called themselves their wives’ friend. All these ideas are voiced in the letter she wrote. John expressed his ideas about women and how he thinks they should not vote in the new government. Both made valid points.
Reactions, Connections, Thoughts, Feelings:
I feel John Adams was not considerate enough toward the request to “Remember the Ladies”. I also feel that Mr. Adams had no place dictating women in the society of new America as everyone was dictated by Britain. No man is created equal if women are not equalized the same way. This can be connected to the feminist movement because if it was in the rules of society/government, we could vote and the movement would have never been necessary. Now, because the equality of women was not established in the first documents of our history we are not paid as equally as men and we have to fight for our reproductive rights to contraception. We even pay more for health care than men. We even have to pay up to 150% more than men for health care. I believe if equality for women was established long ago we would not have to have dealt with these issues. I was surprised though how Abigail had the courage to write and try to defend the rights of women back then as they were to know their place in society.
2. What does Abigail Adams threaten to do if women are not given representation in the new laws of the land?
She says the women will be determined to cause a rebellion and that they will not obey the laws without some kind of representation or voice.
Reactions, Connections,