Women were viewed as less powerful during the American Revolution, but they made a significant contribution to the eventual triumph. The dedication of American women and their readiness to alter their consumption habits contributed to the boycott of British products' success. The majority of women continued to work at home, producing goods like garments and aiding in the boycott. Other women, like Abigail Adams, had an influence on the new nation's fight for independence by working through their husbands. A group of female members of the Patriotic Society made a declaration in 1774 pledging their support for the cause of freedom. The biography of Abigail Adams is used in this essay to examine the social effects of the American Revolution. Abigail Adams biography
Abigail Adams worked through their husbands in impacting the independence struggle for the new nation. In 1774, a group of women from the Patriotic society signed a statement which declared their commitment towards the patriot cause. This paper uses Abigail Adams biography to discuss the social ramifications of the American Revolution.
Abigail Adams biography
Abigail Adams was a devoted believer of rights and equality for women and African Americans. She was the wife to John Adams the first president of America. On 31st March 1776, Abigail wrote a letter to her husband in Philadelphia which showed her insight and boldness as she convinced her husband to remember the women by granting them more rights. America completely denied women a political voice, and some chaffed under the given restrictions. According to Akers, it was natural for women and men to exchange roles. Akers argues that the primary aim for women’s creation was for them to act as helpers to men. Following this argument, women used to depend on their husbands for support and protection.
Akers also contends that Abigail was expected to be a supporter and observer of her husband’s career due to her female gender. Aker also provides that Abigail was a supportive wife when Adam, her husband become the president of America in 1797. Some people called her Mrs. President due to her great support for her husband. At the beginning of each day, Abigail tended to household and family matters and then spent the remaining time receiving visitors and host events on behalf of her husband.
Foner explains that Abigail would run the farm work and maintain the household when her husband was absent in legal duties. Abigail with her son John spent some time watching the fighting during the battle of Bunker Hill on 17th June 1775. Abigail showed to be a strong woman even after receiving the news that her best friend had died in the war. She remained tough in supporting her husband during the battle. Abigail is reminding her husband to remember the ladies in a letter. Her skills in business management made her husband to comfortably devote his time and energy in politics.
While John Adams was building independence consensus from the Great Britain, Abigail took a responsibility of educating the children while at the same time taking care of all the farm activities and kept track of all the finances. Abigail also stood in the gap to make clothes for her family when the British textile was discouraged from importing clothes. In November 1779, John Adams had to separate with his family following a call to attend some legal duties in France. Abigail came to agreement with her husband to stay in Massachusetts with the children due to the harsh environment in France. The family was reunited after five years in 1784 in France.
Social ramifications of the American Revolution on women
Following the effort made by Abigail and the other women, a movement started which advocated for improvement of women’s education as a means to support them. Most of the male citizens were ready to accept the improvements in women’s education, but no one was for the changing of marriage laws. Marriage was understood as the underpinnings of political and social order and not just as a commitment between a husband and a wife. A man would obtain a higher status becoming a father.
Change in the status of single women
Before the revolution, single women were allowed to live anywhere they wanted and used any occupation to support themselves without the need of having a degree or a license. They could get into contracts or accumulate property. Any unmarried woman was allowed to sue or be sued, serve as guardians and write wills. However, following the emphasis on equality and in the revolution, some important changes occurred on the inheritance rights for women. The rule for an equal inheritance for all was a huge benefit to the daughters.
Married women
Women’s legal status would completely change after marriage. A married woman did not have political, independent legal or economic existence. A woman’s identity was absorbed into the identity of her husband. A woman had no right to sue, get into contracts or vote. However, after the revolution, married women obtained the right to well maintained in a manner that equalizes her husband’s social status. A woman got the right to report her husband to court in case he fails to take good care of her. In preventing men from neglecting their wives, judges the doctrine of necessities rule. However, the court could not stop men from making poor investments or gambling. Some of the women whose husbands proved to be irresponsible had no protection. Married women also received a right to real property owned by their husbands. A husband could not buy or sell a property without the consent of his wife. A signature from the wife was among the most important issues to be considered for any transaction takes place.
Female politicians
Most of the patriot women gained some sense of political importance. They had sacrificed in making the war successful. They operated farms, ran businesses and took care of their families while their husbands had gone for war. Some men argued that there was no excuse to exclude women from owning property and other rights like voting. In New Jersey, single women were allowed to vote during the period 1776-1807. State law makers came into agreement with the revolutionary rhetoric implications which allowed omen to own property and court them during elections. However, women’s votes were still regarded as liabilities and not an asset. After the revolution, women were allowed to express their views and ideas to political issues.
Lower class women spent some time in the streets, taking part in rituals which showed patriotism to the nation. These women attended public rallies, marched in parades, mark election days and attended public festivals. Other women remained at home imbuing their domestic duties but with a political meaning. Some became republican mothers who brought up their sons as great politicians in the republic. Other women like Abigail influenced their husbands in their in performing their political roles. With the newfound importance, women took it as an opportunity and demanded for education for their daughters and the young women in the society. Women advocated for equal rights between the boy and a girl child. Women who lived near cities like Washington and New York hosted salons which gathered men and women to discuss issues concerning politics.
Conclusion
According to the above explanations, it is evident that women played a huge role in the American revolution. Despite the fact that women are considered as inferior, men could not succeed in the war without women. Women supported their husbands, fathers and brothers in various ways. Some of them like Abigail took care of the family activities including the household duties, taking care of the farm activities as well as providing education for the children. After the revolution, women stood a chance to take part in politics. New rights were introduced which granted women some freedom. Women were allowed to own property and participate in voting. Husbands were also made responsible to provide support for their wives. Women were also allowed to participate in political matters and also contribute their ideas in making political decisions. It can, therefore, be concluded that women are important in a society and they should be granted equal rights.
Bibliography
Akers, C. W., & Handlin, O. (1980). Abigail Adams: An American woman. New York: HarperCollins.
Foner, E. (2016). Give me liberty!. Place of publication not identified: W W Norton.
Schmidt, E. A. (2014). Native Americans in the American Revolution: How the war divided, devastated, and transformed the early American Indian world.
Dreisbach, D. L., & Hall, M. D. (2014). Faith and the founders of the American republic.
