Revolutionary Mothers Essay

Carol Berkin’s Revolutionary Mothers, is why I have the mind-set, in which I live by to this day. The world is in need of strong women, who will lift and build another nation, by living as a brave loyalist, with a fierce heart and soul. Paramount, was the role that these women played in the Revolutionary War. Shockingly, just as the era before the Revolutionary War, women being inferior to men is seen even in present times, old habits die hard. Carol Berkin’s discusses the life of women in this era, most history books, in the school system, have all failed to address the powerful portrayal of the women during 1775, the period of Independence from “The Crown”. “Revolutionary Mothers”, brings to the forefront, the beginning of Independence to all humanity, that witnessed or their physical involvement in this fight for Independence. Finally, the actions of all women during this Revolutionary period, shows the Grand design of the creation of Man and Woman. They are to complement one another. In the beginning of Chapter 1, there was a foreshadow of Independence, when the Governor of Mass., John Winthorp speaks on the madness of woman, comes when doesn't stay in a woman’s place, staying inferior to her husband, and not meddling in man things. Women early on in this period, only had two choices, in their very existence was either marriage or become a “Spinster” old maid. To a woman, either one was not fulfilling, both you were dependent on someone. Marriage, from the standpoint of the woman, that bought to the table inherited wealth, it now belongs to your new husband, and as a wife, you are now his property. These are laws made by Men and followed by society. Revolutionary Mother’s, does a splendid job at confronting, the “gender amnesia” that occurred in that society before the Revolutionary and still today’s society. Against All odds, the women proved to be a major asset to the Revolution. The storyline is a combination of viewpoints of female loyalists and patriots, wives of Generals, Women of Color and Indigenous women. I liked the idea of this book, and the bravery of a woman who is said to be the weaker vessel. These women, had power in their actions and being a consumer, they were a crucial participant in the first opposition against a policy by The Crown. The colonial men, had to come to the realization, that those same women, wives, mothers and daughters may be inferior but without them they could not win this battle of Independence. Tyrants are always bullies, Great Britian and It's Parliament yet another Act, Parliament Intolerable Act and those who opposed it ensures punishment. Early 1775, King George III escalated the war towards the colonial Patriots. April 18, 1775 the alert went out to colonies, the British were coming. Jemima Condict, made a political commitment of Loyalty. Soon all women made their allegiance. The words echoed, when Carol Berkins writes the thoughts of the women once the war was before them, “What seems to saddened the women most was the loss of life”. The idea of war, death of thousands made women resent that patriotic and loyalist feeling Once the Revolution started and men went to battle, the lives of the women changed dramatically. Their roles were now extended to “helpmates” and “surrogate husbands”. To be precise, women took responsibility for economics of managing a household even while doing their conventional domestic chores. Cowardly men on both sides, attacked women and kids left at the farms. The Women of Color had it worse, because they had No claim to this Independence. This Revolutionary was the free man's war, yet they were given false by the British of freedom if they became allies to The Crown. Indigenous women lives were totally different, they had a dominant role in their culture. Sadly, swearing their alliance to the British was a disaster. This allegiance, continued to be the stronghold of this war, by assisting to the needs of the soldiers in the camp. There was nothing these women wouldn’t do, for their family, country and liberty. They showed their loyalty, courage and integrity, standing on the front line with the men, who deemed them as inferior. These women could no longer be portrayed as vulnerable and weak, some of these women had become the Aggressors in this fight for Independence. This this fight for Independence allowed them to step out their traditional roles, and a taste of independence and equality. The best example, Deborah Sampson a true Female Warrior of the Revolution. The bravery and loyalty of a woman, taking a chance breaking all the rules, disguising herself like a man, and fighting alongside the men. The only woman that received a Full Military Pension, that is Heart, integrity and Loyalty. The American Revolution, was just the event needed for women to feel Equivalent to men. They were able to exhibit, the exact same usefulness as a man. The men after returning home from the war, had changed their scope on women. They could not help but call to mind, how they handled themselves throughout the War and they the way they carried themselves, brave. The women's diligent loyalty Paid off. Educated physician Benjamin Rush, was so impressed by the courage of the woman, he instilled in the colony of men, the importance of educating the women. He’s point was valid, if a woman that is trained from infancy the roles of a woman, wife And mother, yet can show that type of courage and loyalty and fight. These women Needed to be educated to teach sons and daughters the principles of liberty and Government. The Revolution gave the women, a since of independence and respect. Judith Sargent Murray, was heard loud and clear, that women were not inferior to men, definitely not after the display of courage witnessed on the frontlines of the war. Although the women, were not concerned equal to the men, they were on the right track to independence.