Women in the Early Republic

695 Words2 Pages

Women were very important to the development of the Republic in the United States. Although their influences were indirect they had a big impact. Women were not allowed to participate in elections or hold office; however they were wives of politicians and “mothers of republic”. Despite being legally ineligible for the above roles they were granted the right to education and a small amount of freedom, which in turn enabled them to become more intellectually acceptable on the topics of government.
“The people” in the constitution referred to free white men in America. This was the founding knowledge of America. They also heavily believed in the feme covert in Early Republic as well. A portion of the feme covert stated “that a wife’s civil life was completely subsumed by her husband”. It also stated that women couldn’t be sued or sue anyone else, their land was all to their husband, they could not make a contract, and even their children legally belonged to their husband.(Roark et al. Page 287) These views on women did not stop them from expressing their views.
Abigail Adams clearly did not support the view of feme covert or that “the people” should be entitled to men. She stated in letters, to her husband, which expressed women “were deprived of a voice in legislature” even though they were required to oblige by the laws imposed on them. (Roark et al. page 215) There were other women in the Republic who voiced their opinions on the issue, but many women in the beginning were accustomed to this form of life and went with the flow.
Even though married women could not own property or anything of the sort, single women were able to own land, make a contract, initiate lawsuits, and pay taxes. Even with the privelages bestowed upon the...

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...e heard. With so many laws regarding what their status should be and limiting their input, you would think they would never be able to be a part of “The People”. However, throughout history, playing many different roles women made a difference. They may not have always been able to voice it freely, but through time, education, husband’s, son’s, and church they made themselves heard. The women of the Early Republic changed lives for generations to come. They also played an important role in equality for African Americans as well. Every woman today should thank them for the opportunity given by the Republican Mothers.

Works Cited

1. Roark, James L; Johnson, Michael P.; Cohen, Patricia Cline; Stage, Sarah; Hartmann, Susan M.. The American Promise: A History of the United States. Fifth Edition, Value
Edition. Volume 1. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2009. Print

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