Revolutionary Mothers

Revolutionary Mothers
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Revolutionary Mothers
The present move by women to be treated rightly in society has triggered debates on the roles that women have played throughout important events in history. Often, the assertions downplay the important roles that women have played in specific historical events to warrant them a proper position in society. While men played notable roles in some of those events, it is appropriate to acknowledge that women did not evade the struggles. The American Revolution is one of the most significant events that showcase the value that women instilled in the fight for independence. In her book, Revolutionary Mothers: Women in the Struggle for American Independence, Carol Berkin explains the Revolution War as an upheaval period for men and women of all cultures, races, and social classes. In this analysis, emphasis is put on understanding the important roles that women of different demographic characteristics played in the Revolutionary War as explained in Berkin’s book. An insightful exploration of Berkin’s inputs in the publication is valuable in defining the specific roles of women from the demographic segments such as African Americans, Native Americans, and whites played in the fight for independence both on the battlefield and in the periphery.
Berkin offsets her assertions by indicating that women were partners and not observes in the revolutionary war. In the publication, Berkin indicates that she has read other historical publications to aid her conclusions. Specifically, women partnered with their husbands, brothers, and sons in the war. Part of the debate about the roles that women played in the Revolution War has been clouded with the roles that men played. Berkin acknowledges the different roles y indicating that throughout the eight years of the war, men and women were exposed to different experiences. The biggest variation stemmed from the fact that women’s home front experiences were shaped by social factors including gender, class, and race. Such variations in the demographic characteristics would play a primary role in defining the scope of involvement for individual women groups in the war.[Snyder, Katie. Revolutionary Mothers: Women in the Struggle for American Independence by Carol Berkin.]
The first identifiable group of women whose roles were notable during the Revolution War was the patriot women. Patriot women organized the first steps at the beginning of the war. The patriots were allied to their husbands and sons in organizing the first effective boycotts. Berken believes that the patriots defined the position of women in political activities by saying “no” to the colonizers. Some of the most identified women among the patriots included Martha Washington, Catherine Greene, Lucy Knox, Deborah Franklin, Abigail Adams, and Mary Otis Warren. Those women performed both individually and collectively to steer the revolutionary political agenda. Organizing the effective boycotts marked the onset of the lasting roles that patriot women would play in the course of the war.[Berkin, Carol. Revolutionary Mothers: Women in the Struggle for America's Independence. New York: Knopf, 2005) 13] [American Perspect...