Revolutionary War Women

The Impact Women Had On the Revolutionary War
Throughout history, women’s impact in society has drastically changed. In the past, women did not receive the same education as men did. Women also dealt with the practice of coverture, which gave away their legal identity once they became married. There was also a point in time where women could not vote. After the Revolutionary War ended, the concept of “Republican Motherhood” impacted women like never before in history. Abigail Adams, Mercy Otis Warren, and Dolley Madison are examples of three women who made significant differences for the status of women in the 1700’s.
On March 31, 1776, Abigail Adams wrote a letter to her husband John Adams telling him not to overlook women fighting for America’s
independence from Great Britain. She wrote in her letter “and by the way in the new Code of Laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make I desire you would Remember the Ladies, and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors” (Ladies, 1776). Adams felt that if women fought for America’s Independence just as men did, women should be treated the same. She felt that women should have a voice in regards to laws and representation and if not Adams and other women would form a Rebellion (Ladies, 1776). The Revolutionary War made a significant impact on the status of women and people can certainly sense that Adams letter was a starting point when women started to stand up for themselves.
Another impact the Revolutionary War had on the status of women was education.
After the war ended, there was a new expectation that formed called “Republican Motherhood” (History of Women). Republican Motherhood presented women the opportunity to pursue an education and partake in civic culture (History of Women). An important person involved with Republican Motherhood was Judith Sargent Murray. Murray had radical views on education for women and stressed the teachings of women’s past accomplishments to start empowering them (History of Women). This new idea of Republican Motherhood gave women the chance to pursue new opportunities they once had not had before. Republican Motherhood also gave women a chance to contribute in politics without being scorned and treated with resentment and seen by others being committed to their families and raising a patriotic son (History of Women). American citizens started to see education of women would be a way to prepare the new country and its citizens for success (History of Women). The Revolutionary War was a turning point for women becoming more
educated.
The Revolutionary War also had an influence on the role of the first lady nowadays.
Dolley Madison was one of the first lady’s to have an important role within the American government. Dolley Madison was the wife of President James Madison. She was well liked and well known among the capital city of Philadelphia and had a busy social schedule, which included hosting the wives of foreign ministers (Letters). Due to her popularity, Thomas Jefferson asked Dolley to serve as his secretary of state in 1800 (Bio, 2014). Frequently, Jefferson would call upon Dolley to serve as his first lady at official functions (Madison Project, 2014). After Jefferson left office, she would serve as first lady to James Madison. Dolley is known for ordering the White House staff to save a portrait of first president George Washington from the British army coming to attack the capital (Madison Project, 2014). Dolley Madison made a significant contribution in how the first lady is involved within the
government.
Mercy Otis Warren is another example of how the Revolutionary War had an impact on the status of women. Warren became involved with political actions and discovered she had a unique skill with satirical writing (Jacobs, 2016). Warren became famous after writing about the Boston Tea Party called “The Squabble of the Sea Nymphs (Jacobs, 2016). After the end of the war, she disagreed with the proposed constitution. However, that would change and Warren would become one of the top supporters of constitution after the adoption of the Bill of Rights in 1791 (Jacobs, 2016). Abigail Adams and Warren came to terms the subordination of women in their period was the result of the inadequate opportunity rather than their talent (Jacobs, 2016). Warren was able to accomplish a great deal with women’s status after the Revolutionary War and contributed a great deal to the status of women today.
The status of women throughout time has experienced major changes. By 1800, women were the majority of the Protestant congregants, while the church hierarchy stayed singularly male (Cohen, 2000). Women proved themselves by involving themselves more into politics and not being afraid to speak up on issues. In the 19th century, many females started to become more literate (Cohen, 2000). Abigail Adams played an important role with her letter to husband John Adams about women fighting in the Revolutionary War to gain Independence and how they should be treated in the same way as men. Dolley Madison is another example of important women who made an impact serving as secretary of state to Thomas Jefferson and serving as first lady to James Madison proving how important women are in politics. Mercy Otis Warren proved that women could have a powerful voice using her exceptional writing skills. The Revolutionary War was a turning point for the status of women as people see it today.
References
Adams, "Remember the Ladies" (1776). (n.d.). Retrieved February 19, 2017, from https://history.hanover.edu/courses/excerpts/165adams-rtl.html
B. (2014, July 08). Dolley Madison. Retrieved February 21, 2017, from http://www.biography.com/people/dolley-madison-9394952#synopsis
Cohen, P. (2000). Women in the Early Republic. OAH Magazine of History, 14(2), 7-11. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/25163338
Jacobs, R. (2016). Mercy Otis Warren. Salem Press Biographical Encyclopedia,
N. (2007). NWHM Exhibit: The History of Women and Education. Retrieved February 21, 2017, from https://www.nwhm.org/online-exhibits/education/1700s_2.htm
The Dolley Madison Project : Editors. (n.d.). Retrieved February 21, 2017, from http://www2.vcdh.virginia.edu/madison/editors.html