By declaring independence, America showcased the possibility of overthrowing “old regimes”, marking the first instance of a colony rebelling and effectively asserting its rights to self-government and nationhood. This act served as an inspiration for numerous European nations and colonies, sparking revolts. The United States, through its Constitution, established a new social contract that embodied Enlightenment principles. The Constitution brought the notions of natural rights of man, liberty, equality, and freedom of religion from being mere idealistic utopian concepts to tangible realities. The framers of the U.S Constitution consciously rejected the Greek model of civic republicanism.
The European bourgeoisie reevaluated their own government and monarchic systems after distinguishing between the concept of “democracy” and their proposed representative democracy. The influence of the American Revolution on the French Revolution led to the culmination of these aspects, as revolutionaries adopted the slogan “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity”. Information about the American Revolution was disseminated to Europeans through soldiers who returned from America. French soldiers brought back ideas of individual liberty, popular sovereignty, and republicanism.
The French subsequently staged a rebellion against their ineffective monarchy, which they regarded as oppressive. WOMEN The circumstances faced by women during the American Revolution were diverse and dynamic, reflecting the uniqueness of each woman. Although the specific encounters of women varied based on factors such as education, social standing, and geographic location, the revolution had an impact on women from all backgrounds. Despite being excluded from the realm of political affairs during a period when Americans championed freedom and participation in governance as their inherent entitlement, certain women defied conventions and astounded leaders through their individual acts of heroism.
The assumption was that the public space where political conflict and activity took place was reserved for men. Even if women had access to these public places or political literature and pamphlets, their lower literacy rates meant that very few could read or comprehend them fully. Nevertheless, despite their overall exclusion from everyday political affairs, women also felt the same revolutionary fervor. Like men, some women supported the crown while others declared themselves as being “born for liberty.”
A significant change in viewpoint arose as women’s involvement in the revolutionary era influenced a fresh understanding of their value and abilities in politics, rendering their official exclusion more troublesome. Women assumed various roles throughout the revolutionary period, including camp followers, soldiers, messengers, manufacturers, heads of households, and writers. There existed a stark juxtaposition of conflicting perceptions of women. The emphasis on the darker and formidable aspects of female nature that prevailed in the 17th century started giving way to the idealized and sentimentalized concept of femininity prevalent in the 18th century.
During the course of the revolution, the contradiction of defining citizenship and the place of women in a republic became increasingly evident. The colonists employed the boycott as a crucial weapon against England’s attempt to exercise influence over the colonies by imposing taxes on goods. In response, the colonists rebelled by refusing to import English commodities. The success of any boycott relied heavily on women, who not only had to refrain from purchasing English goods, but also had to increase their own production to meet the demand in the colonies.
Women formed groups like the “Daughters of Liberty” and held sewing events all day long to address the demand for cloth and other products caused by women participating in the boycott. This marked the first time that women played a significant role in a broader struggle. Women often united and signed public agreements to support the patriot cause. Additionally, those who chose not to sign manifestoes and agreements often had their names published in local newspapers, which made their political stance known to the entire community.
In the worst cases, women and their families could become victims of mob protests. Women, however, found various ways to support the war effort from their homes. For example, RUTHDRAPER, a resident of Collecticut, along with some neighbors, devoted several days to baking bread. As the soldiers marched past their town, they were supplied with bread, cheese, and cider. Additionally, RUTHDRAPER donated all metallic items in her house to be melted and used for ammunition. On the other hand, ANGELICA VROOMAN took on the task of handcrafting bullets while men fought on the battlefield. In her tent, she molded bullets using only lead and an iron spoon.
According to legend, BETSY ROSS is given credit for designing and producing the first American flag, featuring thirteen stripes and thirteen stars. However, there is no historical evidence supporting this claim. It is not surprising that numerous women resisted British looting during this period. One such woman was CATHERINE SCHUYLER, who was married to major General Philip Schuyler. She took matters into her own hands by setting fire to her wheat fields instead of allowing the British to confiscate what remained of her crop. A similar act of defiance occurred in South Carolina when REBECCA MOTT set fire to her own house while it was occupied by British troops, ultimately resulting in a surrender by the British.
Another defiant woman was TEMPE WICK from New Jersey. When American soldiers demanded that WICK surrender her horse, she refused and raced home. She cleverly hid the horse in a first-floor guest bedroom in the family home until the soldier gave up looking for the animal. Women often moved freely in and out of British lines and camps, usually under the pretense of selling wares and goods, unless they were known to be spies. NANCY MORGAN HART of Georgia, often called “war women” by local creeks, was a formidable woman and a known spy.
She is credited with capturing a British spy and taking several British prisoners. Alongside HART, many other women risked their lives to gather crucial intelligence for the Americans. Women also took part in daring acts to intercept British couriers and served as messengers for the American cause. Notable figures like ANNE BALEY from Virginia and EMILY GEIGER from South Carolina travelled long distances, endangering their lives, to deliver essential military information.
Women in army camps had various roles. Many women and children became camp followers due to economic reasons, accompanying their male family members. Some women joined soldiers in the camps because they couldn’t bear the separation, while others were refugees. Aristocratic women had a more privileged position compared to middle and labor class women, as they enjoyed dances, dinner parties, and tempting food. They also had camp followers to assist with menial tasks.
Marry Hays, also known as Molly Pitcher, was a battlefield wife who actively fought in the war. Despite numerous close calls, she took up arms to replace her deceased husband and continued fighting. Some females defied societal norms by serving as full-time soldiers during the revolution, going against society’s expectations for women to adhere to predefined roles. These women soldiers had to conceal their gender, resulting in limited records of their service. However, there are exceptions to this, such as Deborah Sampson of Plymptom, Massachusetts, who was one of the most successful soldiers.
Despite the revolutionary ideals of freedom and equality, women’s courageous and selfless actions during the war for independence did not lead to a significant change in society’s perception and appreciation of them. Only a few individuals acknowledged the connection between these factors. In the 18th century, both men and women unquestioningly accepted men’s dominant position as a symbol of civilization. Women, despite actively participating in all aspects of the fight for independence and often challenging traditional gender roles, returned to their customary spheres after the revolution ended, with only rare exceptions.
Although the legal and societal status of women did not change, their experiences during the war highlighted their bravery, independence, and ability to take care of themselves. This resulted in their acts of courage being recognized and acknowledged. To understand how women were connected to economic support, we can examine it through the lens of supply and demand. In general, demand represents buyers’ desire to purchase a particular product, while supply reflects the seller’s willingness to sell that same product.
Regarding women’s involvement in the American Revolution, it is evident that the Continental army required their assistance in raising funds and creating various supplies. The demand for these contributions is clearly indicated in letters from generals to organizations. Consequently, the women enthusiastically fulfilled their role as suppliers, actively meeting the army’s requirements.
Another way to understand the situation is to consider the demand as American independence, and the supply as money and provisions for the army. In this view, women played a crucial role in fundraising and providing logistical support. In both studies, their involvement was necessary for success, suggesting that the women were contributing to the economic aspect of achieving independence. Thus, these women can be seen as a market, a setting where trading transactions occur.
The women participated in trade that was both tangible, involving the exchange of physical goods, and emotional, as they demonstrated patriotism in their quest for independence. As a result of economically supporting American troops, women began to engage in political activities. Therefore, despite potentially denying it for social reasons, women were inherently connected to politics. Some contemporary women’s historians suggest that the belief that politics was unrelated to women’s sphere persisted, even among those whose lives directly relied on political progress.
Many women held the belief that they were not aware of their involvement in politics, which was a common viewpoint. This was primarily because they feared negative consequences such as damaging their reputation or facing retaliation from men who believed that politics should not be a concern for women. However, there were also women who actively engaged in political matters and possessed a clear understanding of their objectives and methods to achieve them. An excellent example is Abigail Adams, who consistently advocated for women’s political rights throughout her marriage to John Adams. Other notable women who played significant roles in politics include Phillis Wheatley, Mercy Otis, Martha Washington, Molly Pitcher, and Abigail Adams.
