Women's Rights In The 1790s

In France around the 1790’s there was a massive movement for the recognition of freedom for all people. The French Revolution was an incredibly important time for not only France, but also for Europe and European colonies. Incredibly important actions were being taken place in the direction towards the rights of citizens. Not only were the rights of the common man being discussed, but also the rights of the colonial slaves, religious minorities, and even women. The discussions of women’s rights was for the first time being brought to discussion with a view that women deserve the same rights and opportunities as what would be given to men. Up until this time women were treated as second-class citizens and often viewed as the property or
The women of this time only wanted to be heard; they saw the opening created by the convocation of the Estates General and hoped to make their own claims for inclusion in the promised
They insisted that the Jews should be treated no differently from anyone else and refuted one by one all the customary prejudicial arguments used against the Jews, such as their reliance on making loans with interest (usury). Their petition shows the power of the language of rights; “all men of whatever religion . . . should all equally have the title and the rights of citizen.” Despite their pleas, the National Assembly held of on granting full political rights to Jews until September 1791.”