To begin with, there are many events in United States history that have shaped our general understanding of women’s involvement in economics, politics, the debates of gender and sexuality, and so forth. Women for many centuries have not been seen as a significant part of history, however under thorough analyzation of certain events, there are many women and woman-based events responsible for the progressiveness we experience in our daily lives as men, women, children, and individuals altogether. Many of these events aid people today to reflect on the treatment of current individuals today and to raise awareness to significant issues that were not resolved or acknowledged in the past.
Throughout nineteenth century Europe and leading into the twentieth century, the division and integration of equal rights and liberties towards both genders was a predominant issue. From the 1860’s and beyond, male suffrage was expanding due to working-class activism and liberal constitutionalism, however women were not included in any political participation and were rejected from many opportunities in the workforce. They were considered second-class citizens, expected to restrict their sphere of influence to the home and family, and therefore not encouraged to pursue a beneficial education or career. Because they were seen as such weak entities, the only way they were able to advocate their interests and dissatisfaction was through their own independent organizations and forms of direct action. With hard work towards improving women’s involvement in the workforce and towards political emancipation, womanhood gradually became redefined. When looking back on these crucial times in history, it is necessary to view how various images and ideas of females represented such integral symbols in modern Europe that influenced the pivotal changes they succeeded in putting forward. Earlier photos show women in society as solely conforming to what society wants them to be, however later this changes and images of women go against what is seen as appropriate and advertise the efforts made towards gender equality.
While historians and scholars use a variety of lenses to analyze American history, the examination of the role that gender has played in society provides a view of history broader than the typical patriarchal tunnel vision taught in most history classes today. Men’s roles in society have been molded and crafted by the changes occurring throughout these societies, but women’s roles both in the home and in the workforce have arguably undergone many more radical transformations since the inception of the United States. Specifically, the transformation of womanhood in the first half of the nineteenth century, beginning with the market revolution, permanently changed how women are viewed in society, by both men and other women, and how women relate
As a man I never knew what it felt like to be treated unequal in the sense of not being able to work the same job as other men do, or being stigmatized and frowned upon for being a male. This was the story for women in the United States until the 1800’s. This was the era in where women that felt like they should be treated equally in society finally grew the courage to fight for what they believed in. They wanted to show everyone that people are entitled to their freedom and liberty no matter their gender. Also they wanted to emphasize that discriminating on people based on gender, sexual orientation, skin color, ethnicity, religion, or culture is unethical. People with these beliefs were considered what we call now a “Feminist”.
many men were involved in the war, women finally had their chance to take on many of
The United States, in the 19th century was a place that was only meant for men, specifically white men. To be a woman in the 19th century meant being someone’s property, someone’s responsibility and defiantly not able to make your own decisions. Nineteenth century feminists began to question the laws, and regulations that were placed by the government at that time. They began speaking up, quoting the bible, constitution and declaration of independence. “It was we the people, not we, the white male citizens, nor yet we, the make citizens; but we the whole people, who formed this Union” (Anthony 41).
Catalina Morton
Mrs. Dixon
Senior British English
December 9th, 2014
The Role of Women in Mid 19th Century Britain
The roles of women have always been a big part of British society. Women have been placed in domestic and less authoritative roles, as compared to the roles that men have been placed in which was to be the provider, and as the leader. Much of the population of the early Victorian era Britain were learning to cope with the new form of labor that was coming about which is known as the industrial revolution.
Throughout United States history oppression of people has always been prominent, whether through African American’s and segregation or Asian American’s during the Vietnam War. What is often ignored is our history of the oppression of women. No matter what time in history, there is always a case to be found of the discrimination over gender. Many people know of how African American’s came into freedom and the long perilous road it took, but few know the struggles, changes and hardships that women have perceived to get where they are today. As the civil war halted and industrialization and urbanization came into play, the role of women changed dramatically and their status in the society in the aspects of employment, equal-rights, and in the home.
Looking at the great things that happened during the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century, it is hard to think that something such as race would still be so prevalent in everyday life. With failed attempts at reconstruction, partially successful attempts at reconstruction, often brutal oppression of African Americans, things like the Jim Crow Laws, Eugenics, public lynchings and some southern states not allowing blacks to vote America reached an all-time low in race relations. Author Rayford W. Logan in his book The Negro in American Life and Thought: The Nadir 1877-1901 (1954) presented the idea that this period was the low point or “nadir” for the African American population .
REFERENCE AND INSTRUCTION ASSIGNMENT
I used the following set of characteristics:
North Carolina—Minister (wife)—female—secondary school—Baptist—African American—Young adult—World War I
HOW I FOUND DOCUMENTS:
There are two ways to approach searching the manuscripts collection. You can use the site specific google search on the Manuscripts Department website, or you can search the library catalog and limit the results to the Manuscripts Department.