The American Revolutionary War implied global changes to the political, economic and social course of the whole nation. As the republic started its development within the concepts of liberation, the new ideology had a certain impact on the role of women in the society.
During the years of Revolutionary War women were to get involved into earlier unprecedented activities, as someone needed maintain the farms while men were at war. These circumstances had given de facto opportunities to women, which were eventually declined just as soon the Revolution was over (Mays, 2004).
The end of the American Revolution had given a birth to a new republic, which in order to survive and prosper required confidence in its younger generation. Thus, the notion of motherhood received a status of a national virtue, meaning women were responsible for raising the children of the nation as intelligent citizens, loyal to their motherland. This ideology was later defined as 'Republican Motherhood' (Mays, 2004).
The new obligation should have awarded certain advantages to the women's status; however, the expectations of women to achieve equal rights were not fulfilled during the Jeffersonian period. Women remained subordinate to men and had no political rights. According to historian Joan Hoff Wilson, the role of woman could be described as 'household duties endowed with political meaning' (Mays, 2004).
At the same time, through the Republican Motherhood and with the help of Abigail Adams, the wife of President John Adams, women received an access to education (Mays, 2004).
Jefferson understood that education is essential for women if they expect to raise committed citizens. In 1818, in his letter to Nathaniel Burwell, Jefferson mentioned he would give good education to his daughters, so that their children could acquire enough knowledge and understanding how to serve the nation. (Let.rug.nl, n.d.).
The concept of Republican Motherhood is a much debatable topic, since it did not guarantee equal rights to American women during the Revolutionary era; however, it laid a background for further empowerment of women.
References
Let.rug.nl,. To Nathaniel Burwell Monticello, March 14, 1818 < The Letters of Thomas Jefferson 1743-1826 < American History From Revolution To Reconstruction and beyond. Retrieved 22 February 2016, from http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/presidents/thomas-jefferson/letters-of-thomas-jefferson/jefl251.php
Mays, D. (2004). Women in early America. Santa Barbara, Calif.: ABC-CLIO.
