His 72A Final

John Adams

(1735-1826) Husband of Abigail Adams, signed the declaration of the Independence and went to school, and listened to his wife for political views, respected him

Abigail Adams

(1744-1818) 32 Wife of John Adams, mother, Self-taught; read books from John Adams Schoolings, March 31, 1776 passage to John Adams, "Forment a rebellion if particular care and attention is not paid to the ladies, who have no voice or representation." Significance: John Adams response to Abigail's letter, the United States would be built around masculine virtue- create a republic on the backs of the men. Abigail Adams reminds her husband women will rebel to the tyranny of men just like the colonies were rebelling against the British. There was not enough room for the presence of women in the deceleration and the added pressure from women would just be grouped up with other the complaints.(Grouped her with the lower groups) Men actually hold back their power and are fair towards women but John states that he "cannot but laugh" at the notion, and that Men wouldn't "repeal" their own dominance.

Phillis Wheatley

(1753-1785) Black woman who can read and write, had a book of poems published, had a tour in London, family that owned her allowed her freedom after her tour, stayed with the family until death Poems written about christianity Faced terrible problems, married with three children husband left her, two children died before her, died at 31 (young age) and buried next to last child on an unmarked stone Significance: As an example of a woman who gained independence, she also is an example of the challenges (drawbacks) of becoming independent (had to rely on her family, loss of family).

"Women's Rights"

18th Century

Goody's Lady's Book

A guidebook from the 1830's (published from the 1830s to the 1860s) that was incredibly popular (affordable - $3 a year) and successful A woman edited it Held a wide variety of media that focused on dress, religion, devotion, image, shopping, child-care, education, and overall homecare Tools on how to act Who: Middle class women (could afford) Significance: reinforced women's and men's spheres

Republican Motherhood

Late 18th, Early 19th Century. Duty of Mothers to educate sons to be virtuous citizens -Self- sacrifice: Political goal for women to teach their children -Independence: Women exclusion from the political world, creates better independence and have abetter outlook, cannot be corrupted, women more independent. Can focus on whats best for everyone -Limitations: Indirect influence reinforces domestic labor, intensifies role in the home mostly available to the elites, who had money and time to get education and then teach their children Significance: These men were being trained to be good politicians and citizens. The republic would fail without republican motherhood. Gender Stereotypes: Women are perfect for this role because they cannot be corrupted by the power of temptation, focus on what is best for everyone, better teachers. Limits to republican motherhood: they have an indirect influence on society/government, it reinforces domestic labor, and it's only available to elites If mothers are educating their sons (future leaders) on how to be virtuous, then they need more education opportunities for themselves in order to be better teachers of virtue

Separate Spheres

Male Sphere (Public): Work and Politics Female Sphere (Private): Home and Domesticity Cult of Domesticity: A safe place or escape from the world The four main attributes of a true woman Piety - looks to god, adheres to christianity, etc. Purity - sexual purity, innocence, virgin until married, modesty, etc. Submissiveness - obeying your husband, etc. Domesticity - in the home, wife, mother, caring for husband and children, etc. Upheld cores of femininity: Piety, Purity, Submissiveness, and Domesticity See lecture 18 for more on Cult of Domesticity

Seduction Novels

Most popular in the late 18th Century U.S. an unhappy ending, feminized "virtue" Women falling into a dangerous romance, with death, lover leaves her, sad endings and troubles Good suffering and bad triumphs (Charlotte Temple (A tale of truth) 1791) It was a critique of the double standard. Introduced idea of feminine virtue

1776 New Jersey Constitution

Prior, all you needed to vote was a social standing Voting was a privilege for those who owned property (⅔ of free, white, adult men) Laws didn't specify that women couldn't vote, just that the voter must own property Who: What: "All Inhabitants of this colony, of full age, who have land, who are worth 50 pounds... shall be entitled to vote..." In 1790, the constitution is clarified to say "she or he," which blatantly allows women to vote, should they have land "...no person shall be entitled to vote in any other Township or Precinct, that in which he or she doth actually reside at time of election..." Where: When:1776/1790 Significance: This state was the only one to pass this sort of legislation. The federalist so and egalitarians encourages this to occur it there were many critics, including the concern that women could dress as boys and vote twice. Overall, it allowed landowning women to vote for a short period of time. However, in 1807 New Jersey passed a law, posed as an "anti-voter fraud law", that focused less on property owning and more on race and gender by prohibiting blacks or women from voting and allowing all adult white men to vote.

Parlor Politics

What: female "influence" (elite white women) to help fix and soothe the political divisions; to cut off violence and turn divisions into friendly competition When: early 19th century Where: Who: example - Dolley Madison, first lady (1809-1817) Wife of James Madison Hosted bi-partisan get togethers Talked about music and friendships, she always had wine People often say that James won the election because of Dolley's skills Significance: Strengths: women could have an influence on politics, able to aid divisions Limitations: only educated women with parlors could partake (elite white women)

Virtue

When: 18th Century Who: Masculine Virtue - something only men can do What: Create a republic on the backs of the men that are independent, courageous in war, sacrifice for the good of the nation. This would be used in elections to get people to vote and trust them. Example- Oath of the Horatii, 1784 (Painting) The men are fighting to protect the country and their families. Women are behind them and unwilling to sacrifice their sons for the country. They cannot be masculine and make the ultimate decision. Significance: Contradictions to a "republic built on the backs of the men." It really only applied to white men. Creates a patriarchal society Chattel slavery To add on to this definition she later spoke on the new idea of feminine virtue Men are selfish, and corrupt Women attempt to be virtuous by way of good character Hold onto chastity

Suffrage

Who: White Males What: the right to vote Where: All of America, but specifically New Jersey in lectures When: 1820s was time of lecture, but given that it is a definition? Significance: women couldn't vote

Divorce

When: 18th century Who: example - Sarah Everitt When: 1787 Where: New York She was married for 22 years and had 2 older sons Her husband was living with another woman and had a child with her She was able to go to her local court and get a legal divorce from him Significance: Until she had gotten a legal divorce from her husband, anything that she made or earned went to him. This is significant for women because it gave them power that was never easily accessible before Significance: lays out the legal grounds for divorce Before: you had to write a petition to the legislature After: you can go to your local judge Spells out grounds for divorce

Jacksonian Democracy

Who: Andrew Jackson (President from 1829-37) What: Appealed to white male voters through their masculinity by holding parties in taverns and boxing events. He played up being a war hero and a "man of the people" "Man who could write and a man who could fight Do you want John Quincy Adams, a man who can write, or Andrew Jackson, a man who can fight?" Where: America... When: During Andrew Jackson's election for presidency Significance: Embraced political parties

Partisanship

Who: Party Holders What: fierce adherence to a political party, person or cause Example: Federalist vs Democratic-Republicans (new republic didn't want multiple parties, wanted everyone to be happy, "common good") Held separate parties for 4th of July Democratic-Republicans Women wore white dresses Federalist Women embroidered gold eagles Where: When: 1790s Significance: seen as a sign that politics were failing because... In a political cartoon of the House of Representatives, representatives are shown fighting with fire tongs and using ages to beat other representatives who are of the opposite parties. Congressional Pugilists (1798)

"Celebratory Politics"

Who: members of communities What: partaking in politics "out of doors" (4th of July celebrations, community group festivals) Where: in towns and communities When: 18th century Significance: Women were able to take part in celebratory politics Bake election cakes Perform in political plays and skits