Women's Role In The American Revolution

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The American movement for independence was a break point in the history where the women’s role began to be known (appreciate). The war showed that women could be a patriot. They supported the movement through traditional female activities, such as home behaviors, domestic economy, and their husband’s business. Ordinary domestic behaviors became charged with the political implication as women faced the revolution. They played a part in the war by boycotting British merchandise, making goods for soldiers, spying on the British. Women always have been characterized to be responsible for managing the household. Mainly, this way of think was strong in the era of the Revolution. The British imported to the colonies materials, textiles, etc. Instead…show more content…
Most of them were daughters and wives of soldiers or officers that wished to be by their side. These women were known as “camp followers”, they followed the Continental army, serving as washerwomen, nurses, cooks, maids, and occasionally as soldiers and spies. The roles played by the women were significant. At that time, women were considered by the society as brainless. That is why men spoke liberally around them thinking women were considered incapable to understand military strategies. Thus, they became great spies, providing food and peddling wares to enemy camps while overhearing important information. There was nurses in the camp, daughters, wives or/and mother of soldiers who were looking for food and protection because they were not longer able to support themselves after the men left for war. The American army often recruited females to fill jobs as cooks, maids, and laundresses for the army. Since most of them were poor women who were accustomed to doing housework, they were suited for the position. Nonetheless poor women participated actively in the revolution. Well-to-do women gave support. One of them was Martha Washington who used to visit the camps frequently. Her presence was a declaration of sacrifice for the war cause, the same as the rest. The value of their presence to the army was symbolic, rather than

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