Analyze the extent to which the American Revolution presented new opportunities for American women.

1. Analyze the extent to which the American Revolution presented new opportunities for American women.

Document 1
Source: Elizabeth Mifflin of Philadelphia, letter to a friend in Boston, 1776.
I will tell you what I have done… I have retrenched every superfluous expense in my table and family; tea I have not drunk since last Christmas, nor bought a new cap or gown… [I] have learned to knit, and am now making stockings of American wool for my servants, and this way do I throw in my mite to the public good. I know this, that as free I can die but once, but as a slave I shall not be worthy of life. I have the pleasure to assure you that these are the sentiments of my sister Americans. They have sacrificed assemblies, parties of pleasure,  tea-drinkings, and finery to that great spirit of patriotism which actuates all degrees of people through this extensive country.

Document 3
Source: General George Washington, General Orders issued to the military,  March 1777.

In the present marching state of the army, every incumbrance proves greatly prejudicial to the service; the multitude of women in particular, especially those who are pregnant, or have children, are a clog upon every movement—The Commander in Chief therefore earnestly recommends it, to the officers commanding brigades and corps, to use every reasonable method in their power, to get rid of all such as are not absolutely necessary; and the admission or continuance of any, who shall, or may have come to the army since its arrival in Pennsylvania, is positively forbidden; to which point the officers will give particular attention

Document 4
Source: Molly Gutridge, poem, Massachusetts, 1779.

We must do as well as we can, 
What could women do without man, 
They could not do by night or day, 
Go round the world and that they’ll say. 
They could not do by day or night, 
I think that man’s a woman’s delight, 

It’s hard and cruel times to live, 
Takes thirty dollars to buy a sieve. 
To buy sieves and other things too, 
To go thro’ the world how can we do, 

For times they sure grow worse and worse, 
I’m sure it sinks our scanty purse. 
Had we a purse to reach the sky, 
It would be all just vanity, 

If we had that and ten times more, 
’Twould be like sand upon the shore.
 For money is not worth a pin, 
Had we but felt we’ve any thing.

Document 5
Source: Esther Reed, wife of the Governor of Pennsylvania, The Sentiments of an American Woman, broadside (pamphlet) published anonymously, 1780. 

On the commencement of actual war, the Women of America manifested a firm resolution to contribute as much as could depend on them to the deliverance of their country. Animated by the purest patriotism, they are sensible of sorrow at this day in not offering more than barren wishes for the success of so glorious a Revolution. They aspire to render themselves more really useful, and this sentiment is universal from the north to the south of the Thirteen United States. Our ambition is kindled by the fame of those heroines of antiquity, who have rendered their sex illustrious and have proved to the universe that if the weakness of our Constitution, if opinion and manners did not forbid us to march to glory by the same paths as the Men, we should at least equal and sometimes surpass them in our love for the public good. 

Document 6
Source: Letter from Marquis de Lafayette oh behalf of his wife, sent to the head of the Philadelphia Ladies’ Association, 1780. 

 In Admiring the New Resolution in which the fair ones of Philadelphia have taken the Lead, I am induced to feel for those American ladies who Being out of the Continent cannot participate in this patriotic measure. I know of one who heartily wishing for a personal acquaintance with the Ladies of America would feel particularly happy to be admitted among them on the present occasion. Without presuming to Break in upon the Rules of your Respected Association, May I most humbly present myself as her Ambassador to the Confederate ladies, and sollicit in her Name that Mrs President Be pleased to accept of her offering.*

* This letter accompanied the largest donation to the Association's campaign--100 guineas on behalf of Madame de Lafayette.


Document 7
Source: Molly Wallace, speech to the Young Ladies’ Academy of Philadelphia, 1792

When then must my situation be, when my sex, my youth and inexperience all conspire to make me tremble at the task which I have undertaken?

Many sarcastical observations have been handed out against female oratory, But to what do they amount? Do they not plainfully inform us, that, because we are females, we ought to be deprived of what is perhaps the most effectual means of acquiring a just, natural, and graceful delivery?

No one will pretend to deny, that we should be taught to read in the best manner. And if to read, why not to speak?

Document 2
Source: image of women in the 1770s from Our Country: A Household History for All Readers, published c. 1877