The Revolutionary Era

Women’s participation in political positions remained nonexistent throughout the revolutionary era. Even if a woman wanted to get involved in politics it would have been difficult due to their lower literacy rates at the time. But no matter who you were, this was a time in history where you could stand up for their freedoms. This was surprising to men to see women rallying and congregating in mobs. It was time for them to show their strengths and prove that they just as good any anyone else.

With politics on everyone’s mind, how could the ladies possibly keep their thoughts to themselves? Many observers noticed that women were getting caught up in the commotion more so than the men. They worked hard to provide more American made clothing and even avoided buying British imported teas. They seemed to be the fire under their husbands’ and sons’ behinds, acting as fuel for their patriotism. 

During times of war, many women would seek shelter but those who followed the soldiers assisted as much as they could. These women cooked, did laundry, served as nurses, and generally improved the group’s morale. A few of them even served as spies or soldiers. Back at home, while the men were away the women had to pick up the slack. They ran farms and businesses and took the place of many men in their society. 

This new power made them think, why were men and women not equal? The answer was simple: women were not given the same opportunities as men. And this is where the paradox begins. Women were not given the same opportunities in education as men but if they were they were believed to lose their femininity which would be improper for a woman. Many men of the time believed woman to be inferior and possibly undeserving of knowledge but now that the women were able to show off what they were really capable of, it began to turn the tides on many people’s ways of viewing women.