During The French Revolution: Why Women Were Viewd Differently Than Men?

For centuries and even continuing to this day, women have had to fight both physically and intellectually for equal political rights and treatment. In the late 18th century, during the French Revolution, giant changes were made to grant more voting rights to the French people, unfortunately, most of these only applied to men. Several key documents composed by people with various social standings and genders heavily discussed why women were viewed differently than men, women’s response to being viewed differently, and finally why were religious minorities, poor men, and sometimes even male slaves were privileged with a higher status. One of the arguments men use to defend their stance on women being excluded from political assemblies and voting …show more content…
Marie Gouze, more commonly known as Olympe de Gouges, used her wits to compose a document that paralleled The Declaration of the Rights of Man, but instead of applying solely to men, she created one for women. The majority of the document is the same, except she substituted the word man for woman and some apply solely to women. Gouges writes, “Women, wake up; the tocsin of reason sounds throughout the universe; recognize your rights...Whatever barriers set up against you, it is in your power to overcome them; you only have to want it” (Gouges, The Declaration of the Rights of Woman, 126-127). This woman is calling for force, because she knows that the only path to equality is with direct action. An idea alone is not going to grant them civic rights, the deep desire to have a voice in politics is what is needed according to Gouges. Women were beginning to talk about a world with rights, sometimes at salons which caused more people to be informed with this radical ideas. The women of the French Revolution even got bold enough to compose “Petition of Women of the Third Estate to the King,” which was a demand for jobs and education. It states, “...the imperious remains of feudalism; women—continual objects of the admiration and scorn of men—could they not also make their voices heard amidst this general agitation?” (“Petition of Women of the Third Estate to the King,” 60). Although, this text initially relates to education, underneath is the idea that if women were more educated and earned money for themselves, they would not have to rely on men, thus creating independence. Unfortunately, throughout the piece men are still being praised and the King is adored, because if they were too radical, the proposal would be immediately thrown out. Although there is a somewhat of a lack of