Women In The American Revolution

The American Revolution can be considered one of the defining moments in United States history. Fuelled by their displeasure with the acts and taxes levied against them by the British Crown and lack of representation in Parliament, colonists from the Thirteen Colonies banded together in a rebellion that would lead to the founding of a new nation. Though rooted in foreign politics, the war would have a surprising effect on the disenfranchised members of colonial society. Those who had previously remained silent on political affairs rallied around the ideas of freedom, independence, and equality advocated by the Founding Fathers that were permeating through the colonies. One group that became more outspoken about political involvement and played a pivotal role in the revolution were women. …show more content…
In his introduction to Mary Beth Norton’s essay, “Southern Women and the American Revolution,” Dominick Cavallo argues against the notion that the revolution was the first step in political and social equality for women when he writes, “it is doubtful that the social, economic, and political status of American women benefitted much from the stirring words of the Declaration of Independence” (Cavallo 78). Even though women were still unacknowledged politically and returned to their domestic roles after the outcome of the war, this was a major instance where women became more vocal about their political opinions and advocacy for education through the writings of Abigail Adams, Martha Washington, and other notable