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We all know about the American revolutionary war of Independence against the Britishers that freed the Americans of British rule. Just like men, women played an important part in this war and did everything to make the continental army become victorious. Despite all these efforts women are rarely acknowledged for their contributions in the history books. Unlike men who fought for independence, women that were 50% of the total population are not commemorated with monuments or heroic titles.
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The Role of Women in the American Revolutionary War 900 Word Long Essay
Women played a significant role in the American Revolution. Almost all American women helped men with many crucial tasks throughout the war. Women were actively involved in fundraising events, supplying resources to troops, helping soldiers in military camps, and moving with soldiers as camp followers. Women also helped Americans when they boycott British products after heavy taxes were imposed on them.
Some American women even acted as spies during wartime. According to one documented case, woman soldiers disguised themselves as men to fight in the war against the British army. In this essay, we will discuss the most significant roles women played in the American revolutionary war.
Following are the Most Significant Roles of Women in the American Revolution
The Coercive Acts (1774)
The Coercive Acts of 1774 also known as The Intolerable Acts were introduced by the British parliament as a punishment for The Boston Tea Party Event (1773). The British imposed heavy taxes on Americans to recover the price of tea that was dumped by the Sons Of Liberty at Boston Harbor. As a result of these acts, the British imposed heavy taxes on almost all household goods.
The American women came to the forefront to impose the boycotts of almost all British supplies. Almost all American women started preparing household goods to replace the goods that were imported from Britishers. Not only did the women produce household goods but also started producing homespun cloth. Homespun cloth because an act of political rebellion because most of the textile was imported from Britain.
The Daughters of Liberty
After the French and Indian War, the British government was under heavy debt. To pay off this debt the British imposed a Stamp Act (1765) on the Americans and all paper products were put under heavy taxes. Soon after the British parliament passed this act, the Daughter of Liberty was formed. This organization comprised only those women who wanted to demonstrate their loyalty to the cause of the American revolution. Martha Washington who was the wife of George Washington was one of the most prominent leaders of the Daughter of Liberty.
As a part of this organization, most women boycott all British goods, especially tea. These women made a pact that they will not buy any goods that were imported for Britain. These women were also able to convince a large portion of the population not to use British tea. These acts by the daughter of liberty served as a sign that all American women are willing to sacrifice treasured goods if they saw any British tyranny.
HomeSpun To Boycott British Products
American Women also boycott British textile by setting up their own spinning bees. In these spinning bees, the women brought in their cloth and loom to weave textile. This was done to make sure that the colonists would not have to buy the heavily taxed British textile products.
Raising Funds
After the Americans started their war of Independence against Great Britain the colonial women offered financial support. Daughters of liberty along with other patriotic women’s groups helped to raise money and resources for the Colonial Army. Republican motherhood from all thirteen colonies raised awareness about this American revolt by speaking, writing, and debating about the American cause.
Helping The Soldiers
Women not only help with fundraising or leading boycotting events but also helped the soldiers of the continental army. Many women moved to army camps to cook, clean, sew and mend soldiers’ uniforms. Women also made bullets, sewed blankets, and prepared food for the soldiers as they moved. American nurses also tend to the ill, wounded soldiers. In the absence of their husbands, the women even milked cows, herded farm animals, and ran businesses.
In the battle of Monmouth, native American women provided water to American troops. When one of the gunners William Hays was wounded, his wife Mary Ludwick Hays took over his position as a Gunnar to replace the injured soldier. This shows how high-spirited and patriotic women were at that time. One American woman was also caught disguising herself as a man to fight among other men against the British soldiers. These women soldiers further lifted the spirits of all the women of colonial America.
Women in Business
Many women whose husbands left for the war tended to their husbands’ businesses. They took these extra responsibilities and also became successful business managers which widened the scope of “Women’s Work“. The wife of General George Washington secretary, Miss Esther De Berdt Reed, led a fundraising campaign and raised around $300,000 for clothing the troops of the continental army.
This patriot women aspect of the war also helped improve women’s lives after the revolutionary war was over. These businesses also helped women in the Civil war era that saw an end to slavery in the US.
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FAQs
What was the American revolution women’s role?
Women played a big part in the American revolution. Women showed great commitment toward the cause by helping injured soldiers, forming a ladies association, helping raise money, and even fighting along with other native Americans.
What impact did American revolution women play in the Revolutionary war effort?
The American revolutionary women had a major impact on the revolution. They helped boycott British goods, women helped the soldiers in military camps, tended to ill and wounded soldiers, raised money, and even fought for the independence of their mother country.
Name some of the most prominent Male and Female Leaders of the American revolution?
John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Deborah Sampson (who disguised herself as a man to fight in the war), Esther De Berdt Reed (who helped raise funds), Mary Ludwick Hays (who fought as a Gunnar), and wife of George Washington were some of the prominent names of in American revolution.
References
- Boston Tea Party – https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/boston-tea-party
- British Stamp Act – https://www.britannica.com/event/Stamp-Act-Great-Britain-1765