What Role Did Women Play In The American Revolution

The American Revolutionary War is arguably the most significant event to ever take place, and perhaps the first “total war,” in the history of America. It involved all aspects of society, particularly the women. They contributed to the war both physically and mentally and without their participation, the outcome of the war may have been altered completely (“Women: Did the American Revolution”). As each part of a machine is crucial in order for it to function properly, females in society were pivotal to the Patriot’s success in the American Revolution.
Since the earliest times in history, women were treated inferior to men. From birth, she would face constraints on her economic independence, legal identity, and access to her property. These restraints would narrow her choice of marriage or spinsterhood. Her economic dependency was ensured by her father or husband, and women were not permitted to own land (Berkin 4-6). After she wedded, all of a woman’s rights and property became that of her husband's (Berkin 5-6). In return for the complete surrender of a her rights, a woman

The view of women had transformed from a housewife to a republican wife and mother (Berkin 154). Women now believed they had a right to an education equal to men's. More radical advocates believed that women should be well educated in order to raise better educated children (MacLean). Reformers for the education of women campaigned for the establishment of schools that offered challenging classes rather than lessons in refinement. These classes would publicize the intellectuality of women, and prove how little they valued luxury and perfection. By forming political commitments and displaying their patriotism during the Revolution, women showed men that they could think logically and make sound judgements (Berkin 151-152), altering their role in society