I long to hear that you have declared an independency -- and by the way in the new Code of Laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make I desire you would Remember the Ladies, and be more generous and favourable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands. Remember all Men would be tyrants if they could. If perticuliar care and attention is not paid to the Laidies we are determined to foment a Rebelion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice, or Representation.
1. What does it suggest about the historical circumstances of the 1770s that Abigail Adams confined her claim for women's equality to this confidential exchange with her spouse?
2. Despite her privileged position and persuasive power, and despite her threat to "forment a rebellion," Abigail Adams's plea went largely unheeded in the revoutionary era- as did comparable pleadings to extend the revolutionary principle of equality to blacks. What accounts for this limited application of the ideas of liberty and equality in the midst of a supposedly democratic revolution?
We'll be delighted to critique your answers.
For #1 I would write. Women were not treating equality as men. If you just ignore them, they will form a rebellion and they will not hold themselves bound by any Laws because the laws doesn't give them a voice or representation.
I don't really understand #2. What does it mean by What accounts for this limited application of the ideas of liberty and equality?
In the eyes of white men, women and blacks weren't fully human. They were owned by men. It didn't occur to our founding fathers that women and blacs were as smart, mentally balanced, and mature as men.
can you explain question 2 to me?
What accounts for this limited application of the ideas of liberty and equality?
In the eyes of white men, women and blacks weren't fully human. They were owned by men. It didn't occur to our founding fathers that women and blacs were as smart, mentally balanced, and mature as men.
1. The fact that Abigail Adams confined her claim for women's equality to this confidential exchange with her spouse suggests that the historical circumstances of the 1770s were not yet ready for open public discussions on gender equality. During this time, women's voices and issues were often marginalized, and the dominant social and political structures favored men. It was deemed more acceptable for women to express their ideas and concerns privately, within the confines of their relationship with their husbands. This suggests that Abigail Adams understood the limitations placed on women's activism and sought to push for change within the bounds of her personal influence.
To understand this historical circumstance, one can explore the societal norms and expectations regarding women's roles during the 1770s. Researching the social, political, and cultural context of the time, including the prevailing attitudes towards women's rights and their lack of legal recognition, would provide further insight into why Abigail Adams chose a more discreet approach to expressing her beliefs.
2. The limited application of the ideas of liberty and equality, despite the revolutionary era's supposed commitment to these principles, can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the revolutionaries themselves were often products of the society they sought to reform, and societal biases and prejudices are not easily eradicated overnight. Many of the revolutionary leaders held deeply ingrained beliefs about racial and gender hierarchies, reinforcing the existing power structures.
Secondly, the focus and priorities of the revolutionary era were primarily centered around attaining political independence from Britain and establishing a new form of government. While the revolutionary rhetoric often invoked ideas of liberty and equality, the immediate political challenges took precedence, and issues such as women's equality and the abolition of slavery were regarded as secondary concerns.
Furthermore, the economic interests of the predominantly white male elites who were at the forefront of the revolution influenced the limited application of these ideals. These elites had economic interests tied to slavery and the subjugation of women, making it politically and economically expedient for them to maintain the existing social order.
To better understand the limited application of ideas of liberty and equality during this revolutionary period, one can delve into primary sources, such as the writings and speeches of the revolutionary leaders, as well as secondary sources that analyze the socio-political dynamics of the time. Studying the political debates and compromises surrounding issues like women's rights and the abolition of slavery during the revolutionary era would provide deeper insights into the complex factors at play.