Republican Motherhood

1. What role did the Revolutionary War play in the transformation of housewifery to Republican Motherhood?

The new values instilled by the Revolutionary War transformed the role of women and motherhood. The contributions of women during the war did not go unnoticed, and were appreciated, as was mentioned in Document C. Additionaly, it was now expected of Republican mothers to raise the sons of the Revolution. The women were responsible for the upbringing of future legistators, brilliant minds, and proud Americans (Doc A).

2.  What were the consequences of Republican Motherhood on women?

Republican Motherhood, while having many benefits, has a few consequences. Where education is concerned, women are expected to know only as much as necessary for basic activities, like reading (only certain books) and writing (Doc B). Women were still extremely domesticated, and in charge of raising the future generation. Should this generation fail, the blame would be on the Republican Mothers.

3. What is the significance of the ideology of Republican Motherhood as a stage in the process of women’s socialization?

This progression to Republican Motherhood was a huge step in the socialization of women. Mothers were more valued in society because they were appreciated for raising the patriots of the new nation. Education for women became expected, rather than a luxury for few. Additionally, women were integrated into politics, as they were expected to encourage civic duty in their sons. This was a huge step for women for the process of socialization.



This poster was popularized during WWII as women were required to work to help with the wartime economy. This was another step for women, as Republican Motherhood was.



1.      Describe the setting.

The setting is the modest living room of a home. The family is privileged, but not among the "rich" class in America. This can be inferred by the way the woman and her sons are dressed, in addition to the room they are in.

2. Who serves at the center of the portrait and why?  How does the woman look?  How is she “republican” rather than aristocratic?

Mary Gibson Tilghman is the center of the portrait, representing that she is the leader of the family and the focus of the portrait. The woman looks content, most likely becauase of her new position in society as a respected member. It is clear that she is republican rather than aristocrat because of the way she and her children are dressed, as well as the simplicity of her hair, or the scenery.

3. What values do her sons exhibit?

The sons exhibit competence and manners, showing rhat they have been trained well so far. They are already being groomed for the future politics of America, as was expected of young boys at the time. While they are still children, they have been taught at an early age to understand what is going on around them, and be polite.

4.  Is there a significance to the position of Mrs. Tilgham’s arm?

The positiong of Mrs. Tilgham's arm is symbolic of the power she holds in the household. It is layed over her son, indicating that he is her responsibility to raise and mother. This power is representative of classic Republican Motherhood, as the mothers were now responsible for the proper upbringing of her children.

Revolution Article

1. To Revolutionarys, The Revolutionary War started as a revolution and became a war. Citizens and Founding Fathers had more democracy and human rights in mind when writing the Declaration of Independence.  They only conceded to war when Britain gave them no choice.

2. Focal points of the war include colonial resistance, rather than actual battles. The Boston Tea Party and the Boston Massacre motivated citizens to take part in this war to a greater extent than battles one the war had begun.

3. Because the Revolutionary War was fought at such close range, battle often resolved to hand to hand combat and vicious bayonette charges. Veterans who had fought in Europe claimed that in the Revolution, they had never experienced war at such a close range and severe fire.

4. The violence and death of the Revolutionary War was overshadowed by the death toll of the Civil War. While thousands of men died in the Revolution, 6 times as many died in the Civil War.

5. Loyalists who survived the battles after a continental victory still faced a horrible life as a prisoner. An order had to be issued to stop the killing of loyalist captives. After the march to captivity, many loyalists were executed anyways.

LAD #3 Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence begins with the democratic principles of the newly declared country. These include deriving governing bodies from the consent of the governed, and that it is the right of the people to do what they please with it if they are dissatisfied, including abolish it. Additionally, it guarunteed the rights of life, liberty, and the persuit of happiness.
The Declaration also included grievances they had with the British Empire. These included the refusal to assent to laws of pressing importance, the repeated disolving of representative bodies for the colonies, and the keeping of standing armies in a time of peace without the colonies' consent. Other grievances were the quartering of troops among the colonists, unfair taxation without representation, cutting off international trade, and subjecting them to trials without jury.
In the conclusion of the document, the states firmly declared their independence from Great Britian, and their legitimacy as a new free country, with all rights an independent country has, such as the right to trade with whoever they so chose, the right to declare war, and contract alliances.
Ordinance of Secession of the Confederate States

LAD #2 Peter Zenger

1)Who was John Peter Zenger?
A) A German immigrant who published the New York Weekly Journal. This publication spoke harshly about the royal government, claiming that he swayed elections and allowed the French (an enemy) to roam about the harbor.

2)What was the controversy over his charges? Talk about Hamilton's defense.
A) Zenger never denied printing the journal. However, Hamilton argued that he should be free to do so, rather than denying that Zenger ever printed it. He claimed it was a battle for liberty rather than a case about a poor printer.

3) What influence did his case have on American governmental tradition?
A) This case influenced American governmental tradition by convincing the founders of the government that the freedom to print any opinion was vital, as this right was not available under royal rule. This influenced the First Amendment of the United States Bill of Rights.

4) What is the lasting significance of his trial? Explain.
A) This trial was significance because it argued censorship in the British government. This showed the founders of the American government that in a truly free country, freedom of the press is significant. Additionally, the trial brought on great support for freedom of press and led to more opposition to royal rule.

Plessy v Ferguson, a significant trial that questioned racial segregation and led to greater freedom of African Americans, similar to how Peter Zenger's trial led to freedom of the press

LAD #1 Mayflower Compact/Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

1) What concepts are included in the Mayflower Compact? 
A) Members of the Mayflower are settling in the new colonies in the name of their home countries. They choose to be a government that agrees to the majority of the people so as no select few people gain too much power.

2) How does the Mayflower Compact reflect and attachment to both the "Old" and "New" worlds?
A) The Mayflower Compact reflects the Old World because they are settling in the name of their countries and King James of England. The New World is reflected by their new concept of government. They chose to be governed through the will of the majority rather than the monarchial rule they came from.

3) How did the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut differ from the Mayflower Compact?
A) The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut explicitly layed out the laws of the government style they would follow. The Mayflower Contract simply stated that they would colonize the land in the name of the king, and follow a government run by the people.

4) What prompted the colonists of Connecticut to take this approach to the government? (written constitution)
A) The threat of one person gaining too much power influenced the colonists to create a constitution. Many settlers had recently come from a place where they were discriminated against due to the opinion of one leader. The colonists did not want to be forced to take part in a law in which most of them did not support.

5) In what significant way(s) does the Fundamental Orders reflect a fear of and safeguard against the usurping of power by one person or a chosen few?
A)The constitution demanded that a representative be chosen every year, without one serving more than a year. This guarantees that one individual does not remain in power for too long. Additionally, any decision that affects the public must be discussed with a general council first, preventing one individual from ruling the public alone.

Composing the Constitution of the United States