The Women's Sphere in the American Revolution

Women generally did not fight in the revolution, and the traditional status of Eighteenth Century women meant that they were not publicly able to participate fully in the debates over the revolution. However, in their own sphere, and sometimes out of it, woman participated fully in the revolution in all the ways that their status and custom allowed. As the public debate over the Townshend Acts grew more virulent, women showed their support for the …

…virtuous children who would make contributions to the new republic. Even confined to their own, limited sphere, women were able to participate in the American Revolution. They showed their support publicly by foregoing English goods, they took on greater responsibility for their family's holdings, and they provided indirect and direct support to the Continental Army. It was a good beginning, but full participation in the public life of the Republic would take another long time.