DBQ: Women and the American Revolution
By Pamela McKiernan
page 2
Document 1 Abigail Adams to John Adams, March 31, 1776
... I long to hear that you have declared an independency. ...
In the new Code of Laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you
to make I desire
you would Remember the Ladies, and be more generous and favourable to
them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands
of the Husbands. Remember all Men would be tyrants if they could. If
particular care and attention is not paid to the Ladies we are
determined to foment a Rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bounds by
any Laws in which we have no voice, or Representation. …
Men of sense in all ages abhor those customs which treat us only as the
vassals of your sex. Regard us then as beings, placed by providence
under
your protection, and in imitation of the Supreme Being make use of that
power for our happiness."
Based on this letter, detail two reasons why Abigail Adams believed
John Adams should "Remember the Ladies."
Document 2 John Adams to Abigail Adams, April 14, 1776 in
Response to Abigail Adam's March 31, 1776 Letter
"As to your extraordinary Code of Laws, I cannot but laugh. We
have been told that our Struggle has loosened the bands of Government
everywhere. That children and Apprentices were disobedient - that schools
and Colleges were grown turbulent - that Indians slighted their Guardians
and Negroes grew insolent to their Masters. But your Letter was
the first Intimation that another Tribe more numerous and powerful than
all the rest were grown discontented.
What is the attitude of John Adam's response?
John Adams refers to "another tribe." To what group is he referring,
and how does he compare them to children, apprentices and Indians?
Document 3 Edenton Ladies' Agreement, October 27, 1774
The provincial deputies of North Carolina having resolved not to
drink any more tea nor wear any more British cloth, etc., many ladies of
this province have determined to give a memorable proof of their
patriotism, and have accordingly entered into the following honorable and
spirited association. I send it to you to show your fair countrywomen how
zealously and faithfully American ladies follow the laudable example of
their husbands, and what opposition your matchless ministers may expect
to
receive from a people, thus firmly united against them.
As proof of their patriotism, what products are the women of Edenton,
North Carolina giving up?
Document 4 Excerpt of a Letter From Arthur Iredell to James
Iredell,
January 31, 1775, in Reference to Edenton Ladies Agreement
Dr Brother-
. . the only Security on our Side [England], to prevent the
impending Ruin, that I can perceive is, the probability that there is
that
but few of the places in America, who possess so much female Artillery as
Edenton. Pray let me know all the particulars, when You favor me with a
Letter. . .
Explain why Arthur Iredell does not consider the Edenton Ladies'
Agreement as a serious threat to England.
Document 5 Anonymous, "Account of Donations Received by the
Ladies in
their Several Districts for the Soldiers of the American Army", June 1780
Click here for transcription of chart
Based on the chart above, who was collecting money for the benefit of
American Army and what was their method of collection?
Document 6 Esther Reed to George Washington, July 31, 1780,
in
Response
to George Washington's Suggestion that Money Collected be Used for Shirts
Ever since I received your Excellency's favour of the 20th of
this
month, I have been endeavouring to procure the linen for the use of the
soldiers, and it was not till Saturday last I have been able to meet with
any fit for the purpose, it being unavoidably delayed so long. I have
been
informed of some circumstances, which I beg leave to mention, and from
which perhaps the necessity for shirts may have ceased; one is the supply
of 2000 sent from this State to their line, and the other, that a
considerable number is arrived in the French fleet, for the use of the
army in general. Together with these, an idea prevails among the ladies,
that the soldiers will not be so much gratified, by bestowing an article
to which they are entitled from the public, as in some other method will
convey more fully the idea of an reward for the past services, and an
incitement to future duty. Those who are of this opinion propose the
whole of the money to be changed into hard dollars, and giving each
soldier two, to be entirely at his own disposal. This method I hint only,
but would not, by any means wish to adopt it or any other, without your
fully approbation. If it should meet with you concurrence, the State of
Pennsylvania will take the linen I have purchased, and, as far as
respects
their own line, will make up any deficiency of shirts to them, which they
suppose will not be many after the fresh supplies are received. If, at
all, the necessity for shirts, which, though it may cease, as to the
Pennsylvania Troops, may still continue to other parts of the army, the
ladies will immediately make up the linen we have, which I think can soon
be effected, and forward to them as soon as possible, having kept in hand
the hard money I have received, until I receive your reply.
Identify two arguments Esther Reed gives George Washington in defense
of her suggestion that money collected be given directly to the
soldiers.
Document 7 George Washington to Esther Reed, August 10, 1780,
in
Response to Reed's Continuing Suggestion that Money Collected Go Directly
to
Soldiers
It was not my intention to divert the benevolent donation of the
Ladies from the channel they wished it to flow in. I gave my opinion in
consequence of their request, but I shall be equally ready to subscribe
to
theirs, and will execute their commands in the manner most agreeable to
themselves. At the same time, I have my apprehensions (from the peculiar
circumstances of our Army) that a taste of hard money may be productive
of
much discontent as we have none but depreciated (worth less than stated
value) paper for their pay.
A few provident Soldiers will, probably, avail themselves of the
advantages which may result from the generous bounty of two dollars in
Specie, but it is equally probable that it will be the means of bringing
punishment on a number of others whose [propensity] to drink[ing]
overcoming all other considerations too frequently leads them into
irregularities and disorders which must be corrected.
A Shirt would, render the condition of the [Soldiery in general
much] more comfortable than it is at [present].
What are George Washington's specific concerns with giving soldiers
money?
Document 8 Esther Reed Obituary, Pennsylvania Gazette,
September 27,
1780
On Monday the 18th inst. died, after a few days illness, in the
thirty third year of her age, Mrs. ESTHER REED, consort of His
Excellency the President of this State.
We hear from Maryland, that the most liberal contributions have
been made by the women of that State, for the assistance of the army, -
That some individuals have presented 15 guineas -- that in one of the
smallest and most remote counties, have been collected upwards of 60,000
dollars -- that a considerable part of the sums collected has been laid
out in the purchase of linen, and a thousand shirts are already made up;
no woman of whatever quality neglecting the honour of assisting with her
own hands to make them up. Those disposed to lessen the reputation of
female patriotism might have said that what our women have contributed,
must, in the first instance, have come from the pockets of their
husbands;
but, where their own labour is bestowed, the most delicate fingers being
employed in theworkmanship, it must be acknowledged an effort of virtue,
the praise of which must peculiarly belong to themselves.
"… it is observed as a fair sprig growing from those honours,
that
she sacrificed her ease, her health, and it may be her life, for
her country.
According to the obituary, what item was the money Reed's organization
collected used to buy, and how was this item used?
Based on the obituary, what was the cause of Esther Reed's death?
Part B: Essay Response
Directions: Drawing on your own knowledge about women's place in
society
during the period of the American Revolution, and a minimum of five
documents you have just read, discuss at least two ways women
demonstrated
their patriotism and/or aided the American Revolution effort. Examine
and
discuss at least two reactions women received from men in relation to
their efforts.
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