Women in the American Revolution

1. Women in the American Revolution Essential question: How did women support the Patriotic ideas on the homefront? (in the colonies)

2. What are some of the events leading to the American Revolutionary War? What were some of the events that angered the Colonists after the Seven Year’s War? What were some of the events that angered the British government after the Seven Year’s War?

3. THINK-PAIR SHARE Who was responsible for rebelling against the British How did colonists rebel? Did women participate in rebelling against Britain? How would they? Picture Retrieved from: http://ushistoryimages.com/colonial-women.shtm

4. Revolutionary Women “ American women were not present in the halls of the Virginia House of Burgesses as the great orator Patrick Henry rose to protest the tyrannical yoke not of France but Parliament. They did not gather in the dockside of taverns of Boston where the wily Samuel Adams helped transform the city’s local gangs into the Sons of Liberty. And their opinions were not sought when delegates to the Stamp Act Congress composed their arguments against direct taxation, penned their petitions to Parliament, and decided on their strategy to force the acts repeal. But when the call went out for a boycott of British goods, women became crucial participants in the first organized opposition to British policy” Source: Berkin, C. ( 2005). “Revolutionary Mothers: Women in the struggle for America’s independence” p. 13

5. Think about it………….. “ American women were not present in the halls of the Virginia House of Burgesses as the great orator Patrick Henry rose to protest the tyrannical yoke not of France but Parliament. They did not gather in the dockside of taverns of Boston where the wily Samuel Adams helped transform the city’s local gangs into the Sons of Liberty. And their opinions were not sought when delegates to the Stamp Act Congress composed their arguments against direct taxation, penned their petitions to Parliament, and decided on their strategy to force the acts repeal. But when the call went out for a boycott of British goods, women became crucial participants in the first organized opposition to British policy” 1. What does the author say about what Women were NOT able to do at this time? Source: Berkin, C. ( 2005). “Revolutionary Mothers: Women in the struggle for America’s independence” p. 13 2. What does the author share that Women COULD do? How would they do this? 3. Why does the author say that women boycotting British goods is crucial to opposing the British?

6. Source A: Abigail Adams Event Description An eminent, wealth, stingy merchant (also a bachelor) had a hogshead of coffee in his store, which he refused to sell ... under six shillings per Pound. A number of Females, some say a hundred, some say more, assembled with a cart and trunks, marched down to the Whare House and demanded the keys which he refused to deliver. Upon which one of them seizd him by his Neck and tossed him into the cart. Upon his finding no quarter, he delivered the keys when they tipped up the car and discharged him; then opened the Warhouse, hoisted out the Coffee themselves, put it into the trunks and drove off… A large concourse of men stood amazed silent Spectators. Words/phrases to know:Eminent- standing out so as to be noticedStingy- not generousShillings- a form of money Quarters- Place of shelter Concourse-a meeting produced by voluntary or spontaneous coming together Letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams, 30 - 31 July 1777 [electronic edition]. Adams Family Papers: An Electronic Archive. Massachusetts Historical Society.

7. 1. Based on Abigail’s description, summarize who the merchant is:2. Where did the women gather? Why are they there?3. What did the women demand from the Merchant? Did he give it to them?4. What did the women do to the merchant? Why did they do that?5. Once the warehouse was open what did the Women do? Source A Discussion Card

8. Source B : “ The Female Patriots” If the sons, so degenerate! The Blessings despise Let the Daughters of Liberty nobly arise; And tho’ we’ve no Voice, but a negative here. The use of the Taxables, let us forebear, (Then merchants import till your Stores are full, May the buyers be few and your Traffic be dull.) Stand firmly resolv’d & bid Grenville to see That rather than Freedom, we’ll part with our Tea. And well as we love the dear Draught when a dry, As American Patriots, our Taste we deny Source: “The Female Patriots” Published Anonymously in the Pennsylvania Chronicle December 25, 1769. If the Sons (of Liberty) can’t control themselves, Let the Daughters of Liberty come forward. And tho’ we don’t have a say, but my complaints here, The use of the taxed items, let us refrain. (Then merchants import until your stores are full, May the buyers be few and your store’s traffic be slow. Stand firmly decided & show George Grenville, That we’d rather part with our tea than our Freedom. And as much as we love the dear drink when we’re thirsty, As American Patriots, we will deny our taste

9. 1. What does “The use of the taxed items, let us refrain” mean?2. What is she suggesting when she says “ May the buyers be few and your store’s traffic be slow”?3. Why does she say that women will “deny their taste”?4. What did the women do to the merchant? Why did they do that?5. Once the warehouse was open what did the Women do? Source B Discussion Card

10. What do YOU think??? • What do you think is the most effective way a woman could support the Patriot cause on the homefront? What do you think is the most effective way a woman could support the Patriot cause on the homefront? Abigail Adams “The Female Patriots”

11. What is your opinion for the most effective way a woman could support the Patriot Cause on the homefront? • Create a letter from the perspective of a woman on the homefront to a friend in another area of the colonies explaining how you believe you should protest merchants and why she should do the same • Create a newspaper article that would have been published anonymously persuading other women to make the same choice as you have with protesting merchants on the homefront

12. How will I be graded??