American Women's History

1. The American Revolution impacted almost every aspect of Native American, European American, and African American women's lives. The American Revolution severely affected Native American women, especially agriculturally. They were the farmers and gardeners of their tribes and the war damaged the soil so much so in some areas that farming was rendered impossible. Most Native Americans, including the women, sided with Britain during the war. Each tribal woman grew crops, when possible, for the British soldiers as well. Further, the American Revolution significantly affected trading between Native Americans and the white men. Because women were heads of trading, the lack thereof made it nearly impossible for them to maintain their standard of living. The one thing that did not change as a result of the American Revolution is racism. Before, during, and after, most white men continued to view Native American Women as secondary citizens. Also, Native Americans as a whole were being displaced from their homes. The revolution was enormously destructive for Native American women. Secondly, the American Revolution impacted every aspect of European American women's lives. Although they were not yet formally recognized in politics during that time, their lives still changed tremendously as they faced a revolution which encompassed social, domestic, and political issues. While their husbands were off to war, American women continued to take care of their homes and families while taking on much of the “men's work” as well, including looking after the farms. The men who were lucky enough to return home from the war came back mangled with severe injuries and illnesses. “Some women managed to address their loneliness and anxi... ... middle of paper ... ... that “the history of mankind is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations on the part of man towards women, having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over her” (Block, Alexander, Norton, 142). The Declaration included several solutions to providing women a bigger proportion in society and tools to break away from the tyranny of their husbands. The Declaration was signed by 100 people at the convention and became enormously influential in spreading the ideas of the suffrage movement across the nation. Some say the Seneca Falls convention was the beginning of the women's rights movement, however, the movement had been well on its way since the beginning of the American Revolution. Works Cited Block, Sharon, Ruth M. Alexander, and Mary Beth Norton. Major Problems in American Women's History. 5th ed. N.p.: Wadsworth Pub, 2013. Print.