Woman's Role in Revolutionary WarEsther ReedEsther Reed felt a need to aid in the fight of the Revolutionary War as best she could. She wrote a broadside, titled Sentiments of An American Women, which attracted enough women to raise more than $300,000 for the Continental Army. These women became "a model of political activity in the years of the early republic" (Beatty).
"ON the commencement of actual war, the Women of America manifested a firm resolution to contribute as much as could depend on them, to the deliverance of their country." - Sentiments of An American Woman Deborah SampsonDeborah Sampson rejected the war-time societal standards in the American colonies. She dressed up as a man, and fought in the Revolutionary War for over two years. Her actions inspired those after her to do the same, and in the Civil War several other women enlisted as soldiers, pretending to be men. (Michals)
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Summary of the 1700s:
Seventeen-hundreds America was a time period of change in America: America declared its independence from Britain, The United States of America formed, and the U.S. government system was created. Although the time period constituted large change in the identity of Americans, gender roles changed very little from the 1600s and before. Women still were expected to carry out domestic chores, while the men were expected to fight in wars and bring home money for the family. This philosophy was shown through in the politics and famous happenings of this time period. Significant events, such as the signing of the Constitution and Declaration of Independence, depict the absence of women in politics. But even while living in a male-dominated world, women like Esther Reed found ways to integrate themselves into society. Founding FathersThe Founding Fathers are accredited with the founding of America, as well as the current government system America holds to this day, with the writing of the Constitution. Due to them all being men, they contributed to the idea of men being the superior gender. (Ellis)
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Declaration of Independence
In the Declaration of Independence, written in 1776, declared the 13 colonies, now called the United States, independent from their mother country, Great Britain. This quote's rhetoric depicts the mindset of people in the 1700s: that women, although half of the population, must identify with their husband. ("Declaration of Independence.") |
"All men are created equal" |
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