Revolutionary Mothers: Women in the Struggle for America's Independence - Essay Example

Revolutionary Mothers: Women in the Struggle for America’s Independence Carol Berkin gave audience to the American women who took part during their revolution. The revolutionary mothers, as described by Berkin were affected by the war in different ways; the poor, rich, loyalists and patriots faced the challenge. Berkin portrays the war through the women’s actions; their racial difference does not matter. From her writing, Berkin neither illustrates the war in a black nor white perspective; she describes it in a bad and evil scenario, as well as, the extent in which the mothers struggled to endure suffering. Berkin admires the women’s intelligence, strength and courage, as well as, their resourceful nature. The women’s ability to participate in the revolutionary war was not for the weak hearted; their combined effort saves their families. Nonetheless, it may be considered unfortunate because most of these women who generously participated in the war did not come out and demand their constitutional rights (Berkin 26). Revolution was associated with several difficulties by the women. It was a time of suffering with a lot of insecurity. Moreover, their men were not home, therefore, they were left with the task of assuming the head of their households. Their men were out fighting for their country. Most of the women viewed the revolution as a period of losing their husbands and more struggle to overcome the assignment at hand. It meant boredom since they stayed away from their loved ones. American Revolution was not bed of roses to the women, they encountered several shortcomings. They took part in the war in order to ease the challenges they were facing and to assist their male counterparts in salvaging their country. All men were expected to go out and fight for their country, this meant women were left to provide for their families (Berkin 54). Most women were used to their men bringing food to the table. At some point during the way, they could no longer provide for their households. Education for their children was interrupted especially for those who could not meet the cost of living. Boredom became the order of the day for those ladies whose husbands had dedicated their time to the war. They expressed their love through writing letters. Social classification was evident during the American Revolution; disparity between the lower class and the elites were the wives of the generals were huge. The lower class comprised of women who worked within the camp since life outside was tough (Berkin 52). Some of them did laundry for the soldiers, others nursed the wounded soldiers. The camp followers –lower class women, did all sorts of crude jobs in order to get food and a place to house themselves. Some of them stuck around so that they could get a chance to see their husbands again. They also brought their children to the camp so that they could fill their stomachs (Berkin 120). Since most of the soldiers could not meet with their husbands, they took the camp followers to satisfy their sexual needs. It is evident that prostitution was high because most of the camp followers easily gave in to the sexual demands of the soldiers. However, their sexual engagements only lasted the war period. The lower class women took part in commercial sex because they offered their bodies so that they could get easy money, food and shelter for them and their children. The tough living situation for camp followers prompted them to dress in tattered clothes. The conditions the camp followers were subjected into hardened them; they sought to take clothes and valuable materials from deceased soldiers. This is a sign of desperation among the low class women. However, their presence was crucial to the soldiers because they could not carry out their assigned duties properly. On the other hand, the upper class that comprised of the wives of generals lived a more comfortable life although boredom brought their spirits down (Berkin 67). These women were often allowed to visit the headquarters to be with their husbands. They contributed positively to the war because they gave morale to the soldiers; they portrayed a patriotic nature. They enjoyed the privileges of being accommodated near the army camp in comfortable and secured conditions. Some of the women of the generals formed the elite circle that participated in social events entertaining the guests at the headquarters. Catherine (Caty) Greene, a wife to Nathaniel a general during the war found the opportunity to join an elite circle. Due to boredom, she would frequently visit the headquarters to see her husband; this gave her a chance to attend and host dinners and dances. Furthermore, Caty met several people thus expanding her social network. Abigail Adams was the wife of John Adams, a lawyer and a member of the Continental Congress; he was also a foreign diplomat. Since John had a vital role in the colonies struggle for self determination from the Britons, he was away from home leaving Abigail lonely. Abigail frequently wrote letters to him explaining how other women and she were suffering. Farming, meeting educational needs for their children, loneliness and food shortages during the American Revolution was some of the challenges the women, including Abigail faced. She advocated for women rights as is evidenced in some of her letters; she argues that women are even more important than their ancestors. Abigail intelligence and courage made it possible for women’s pleas be heard. In addition, other elite women suffered for the sake of American (Berkin 70). The Baroness von Riedesel, a wife to Hessian official gathered courage and followed her husband from her home in Germany to America. She took with her, her three daughters aged below five years. Her travels caused her and the family be confined as captives of war. She took up her profession even in prison as a nurse, she dressed her husband’s wounds and made sure her family was safe. Eventually, she rescued her family and led them home, Germany. Generally, the wives of the generals and the upper class were served in high profiled places. The Native American women did not see the American Revolution as a struggle for nationalism nor self determination. Native Americans faced attacks from patriotic militias. The war posed several challenges on the Native American women; interference of their family life and economic sector. The Native women considered farming as a core economic activity; during the war, their plants and property was destroyed (Berkin 125). Negotiation and control over domestic field was their duty. During the time of war, trading channels between the natives and the settlers were negatively influenced. The women recorded huge loses, hence their ability to properly cater for their families became hard. The native women adore the British; they believed that they would assist them safeguard their normal living style (Berkin 133). However, the strong sense of the native women in American politics, their influence was belittled. The African American women had faced several difficulties even before the onset of American Revolution. Both slaves and those who had been freed lived in fear and brutal living conditions. The beginning of the war made things worse than before. Most of these women thought that they would be protected if they followed the British soldiers (Berkin 138). After the war, some were set free while others suffered the same problems. Poor social amenities, cheap labor and living in deprived houses were the repercussions; their predicament never improved. In addition, the loyalist women chose to follow the British. Their choice forced them to live away from home; it ended up being the losing side. They mostly opted to move out of their colonies in America and seek for better places in Canada (Berkin 93). They had to travel through the wild, being attacked and sleeping several days without food in order to achieve their target (Berkin 137). They considered it a better way since they feared their neighbors who were patriots. Some loyalist women who resisted the appeal to move out of American colonies encountered financial wreck. Moreover, they were snubbed by the society. The American Revolution left a legacy to the women. During the war, women proved to be strong human beings who can withstand challenges. They went without sex for several months because their husbands were held at war (Berkin 148). They assumed the role of heading their households, providing food and shelter to their children as well as meeting their kids’ educational demands. Their intellectual ability during the war is being appreciated now. The war also portrayed women to have insufficient knowledge in politics which is essential in every society. Therefore; the women require education on how to undertake national politics courageously and participate in wars aimed at salvaging the country. It is evident from the war that women are not weaker, but a creative and innovative lot in the society. In conclusion, the American Revolution caused immense suffering to women in the history of America. Boredom, domestic challenges, as well as, social dissatisfaction was encountered. Many soldiers died. Difficulty to meet basic commodities forced several women to be prostitutes. Intelligence, courage and strength enabled most women endured the challenges. Social classification was magnified during the war. Work cited Berkin, Carol. Revolutionary Mothers: Women in the Struggle for Independence. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2005. Print. Read More