Carol Berkin's Revolutionary Mothers

The struggle for American independence was never a men-only affair. The struggle was characterized by a revolution that was a home-front war. As the men were actively involved in the front battle fights, women also took part in a revolution that brought bloodshed, scarcity and danger into the lives of all Americans. Carol Berkin in her book Revolutionary Mothers demonstrates the significant roles played by women during the conflict. In the book is a story of three popular women, namely; Betsy Ross, Molly Pitcher and Abigail Adams, who survived the fateful ordeal of the American Revolution. They took part in the war, playing different roles that in one way or the other contributed to the success after the war. Berkin also notes multitude of

Berkin’s main argument is based on the assertion that women’s roles before, during and after the American Revolution was primarily secondary to men as helpmates. She weaves four key elements through her argument by, first, including several succinct examples of brave actions undertaken by women during the war. And second, illustrating women’s role as surrogate husbands at homes with their men away at war. In her third element, she demonstrated women’s political participation in the war. And lastly Berkin demonstrates the changing perspectives of roles played by women as brought about by the

This depicts their return to traditional roles. In as much as most of the women returned to their traditional roles, others like Judith Murray, and Abigail Adams started pushing for enhanced women's political participation and property rights.

Otherwise, they started receiving a different perception from men in that it was positive. After the war, men could allow women to manage homes, run farms and businesses. Sometimes they could handle all of these duties together. This means that property rights became closer within their reach. The efforts of such women as Abigail was a proof of talents of women to be having more abilities beyond household obligations. After the revolution women were granted more rights than in the past.

Whereas Berkin concludes that most of the women were generally focused on extending their roles as housewives in a political arena, she emphasizes that their efforts provided the possibility of a rise of female politicians in the following