Revolutionary Effects of Women's Role

Inferiority was an element of the past when considering the women greatly affected by the market revolution and the Second Great Awakening. During the late 1700s "Republican Motherhood" was a responsibility for wives to educate their children of the republic- about how it was against the tyrannical government. It seemed as if women had finally obtained power, but they were actually being degraded, ultimately giving men one less responsibility. Republican Motherhood restricted wives to household duties, preventing them from experiencing the work of men- preventing them from becoming independent individuals. Also, during the establishment of the constitution women were subjugated to adhere to traditional housework (chores, taking care of husband/children, etc.), were not allowed to vote, and were not permitted to serve in the military. Conclusively, women were presented as inferior beings, rather than equals. Ultimately, transformation came about because women had had enough. They demanded to be heard and when they were, they were unbelievably loud and clear. As a result of the Second Great Awakening and the mart revolution, women now worked in the mills, contributed to making up majority of the population during religions revivals, broke through the chains of the “cult of domesticity”, acquired higher education, and participated in reform crusades; therefore it is only appropriate to notice that women’s roles and opportunities have drastically revolutionized in term of family, the work place, and society.

No one would have ever predicted the market revolution, an economic revolution, would have promoted women’s progression. The eradication of farms and workshops in substitution for industry and commerce not only benefited the common man, but women also acquired a significant role too. In all actuality, women were compelled to revolutionize, not by men, but by fate. They were allowed to work in mills, ultimately eliminating their full attention toward traditional house work. “Everyone wanted to link their economic fate to the burgeoning economic market”, and fortunately women got a piece of the pie. Women were needed to cooperate for the benefit of the society, ultimately allowing them to progress toward equality. Unfortunately, because the women wanted independence through working the mills, they had to pay the price through hard labor and long hours (Doc B). Factory workers from Lowell, Massachusetts worked six days a week doing hard labor, compared to the farm women who only made food and clothes for the advancement of the pre-industrial economy. As the years passed by, women understood that in order to obtain power and equality, they had to collaborate and unify. During the Second Great Awakening, religious groups were fighting against the idea of dualism, which promoted the idea that churches were established to “enslave mankind”. Women, the majority, fought against the growing liberalism in religion. The role of women helped establish democratic control of church affairs and for people to get “saved”. The Second Great Awakening also made way for higher education. (Oberlin College is proof, which allowed admissions for African- American women). Institutions were initially built in the South where women learned of mathematics, philosophy, and other “man subjects”. Women defied the terms of the “cult of domesticity” by acquiring knowledge and becoming productive, educated individuals. Women were so addicted to learning that even secondary education was not enough to stimulate their eager minds; they needed the library and lyceum lectures as well. Education and wisdom is what led women to make change for their societies. Women like Lucretia Mott established the London antislavery convention, but was not as popular as Susan B. Anthony who stood for women’s right. Elizabeth Cady Stanton advocated women suffrage, and finally Doretha Dix, a teacher, petitioned the Massachusetts legislature, which resulted in better conditions for prisons. (Prisons that had cells that caused disease to spread) She eventually obtained a high role as a nurse for the Union Forces.

Through continuous actions, the role of women helped to promote equality and revolutionized society forever.


Extra Credit---
*Mount Holyoke was the first women college founded by Mary Lyon*
*The first textbook made was The McGuffey Reader by William McGuffey*

Extraordinary role of Nationalism

While restrictions and limitations may seem essential in maintaining control, depending on the situation, it may also be detrimental in preventing exploration for the purpose of advancement and progression. A prime example of this would be the Articles of Confederation, which caused inflation, prevented Congress from taxing the people, and rendered a president inadmissible. The effects of each one of these actions ultimately restricted America to a useless system headed for failure. Luckily, that same “America” segued into a country that supported liberation, exploration, and expansion. The love and devotion the American people has had for these fundamental elements, as well as for their country, has caused major events to result. The Monroe Doctrine, Manifest Dynasty, Trail of Tears, and the Mexican- American War were all costly, but successful attempts in defying the notion that restriction was needed. America’s journey to advancement (expansion) through the actions that stemmed from nationalism has had an extraordinarily positive and major role in the formulation and application of foreign policy in the early nineteenth century.

Most may believe that in no way did nationalism have a positive role in the application of U.S. foreign policy. This belief is understandable, but is unfortunately wrong. Federalists believed that war, a form of nationalism, would only create more damage than help in foreign policy issues. Mainly, as a result of war of 1812 in addition to other events, the U.S. economy was worsened and destruction came about (large areas of the white house were destroyed). However, Federalists, like most, neglect to notice what was obtained- what was gained. Respect, military careers, continued protection of the Western Hemisphere, California and New Mexico are just a few of the things gained that supports the notion that nationalism has had a positive and extraordinary role in foreign policy issues. These events alone defy all negative connotations as it pertains to nationalism in the nineteenth century.

Insidious is the correct term in describing Britain’s actions. After the Napoleonic Wars in 1815, Americans were primarily concerned that the British would dominate and colonize the Western Hemisphere, land that “belonged naturally to the United States”, according to John Quincy Adams. Through the Monroe Doctrine, an ultimatum was established: Europe would stay out of the Western Hemisphere and the U.S. would stay out of Europe. This was not only fair, but wise. Fair because neither side could impose on the other; wise because these were the initial steps American needed in formulating foreign policy. The Monroe Doctrine also allowed Americans to exercise their beliefs, which stemmed for the Manifest Destiny: an attempt to rationalize U.S. foreign policy, to imply that the Western Hemisphere was the United States’ God-given land. If the Europeans happened to disobey this doctrine, it would have been a threat to U.S. national security: an unwise move considering the fact that Americans proved their military capabilities at the War of 1812. Luckily, the Europeans obeyed. Fairness and wisdom, two positive features, played an extraordinary role in formulating U.S foreign policy.

The application of foreign policy was for expansion, which resulted in necessary confiscation and vast deaths. Though Europeans served to be a significant obstacle, they were not the only one to do so. Because expansion was extremely fundamental for the Americas, the removal of the Native America tribe, known as the Cherokees, was indispensable. The irrepressible Cherokees inhabited Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, and Mississippi. Since there were over twenty thousand Indians in the Georgia area it would be a task to get rid of them. Thankfully, the Supreme Court (Cherokee Nation v. Georgia) and the Indian Removal Act were two keen rudiments that would promote permanent removal. They were eventually removed from George to a western area, Oklahoma. Americans had to make tough decisions in accessing the Cherokee's removal and in the process would not predict that four thousand of them would die in the Trail of Tears. Nationalism was the answer to expansion and the Americans would not let a single obstacle prevent them from their desires. Nationalism, in this incident was also positive, because even though Indians were killed, American found gold: an element that could be used to boast the economy and help America's financial well being.

After the War of 1812 one would believe that Americans would try to avoid as many battles as possible. Some may also see America as a greedy country that is was trying to obtain too much territory. Both accusations are false for very obvious reason. America primary purpose was to expand as much as possible, making it apparent that Texas was just not enough land. President Polk wanted more: the California-New Mexico territory, which was owned by the Mexicans. Because President Polk, and others, had self pride in America, war was not a question in acquiring more land. Throughout the Mexican - American war victory after victory came about ranging from the defeat of Santa Anna’s force to Americans final attack on Mexico City. Upon signing the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo Americans claim the area north of the Rio Grande and the U.S obtained California and New Mexico Very much so did nationalism played a major and positive role in U.S. foreign policy. Even though President Polk was not satisfied with the amount of land eventually obtained, the United States still agreed to assume Mexico’s debt to us as a way of creating peace.

To be frank, nationalism was an inevitable necessity that American needed for expansion. Most may believe that nationalism in the nineteenth century played a negative role in U.S. foreign policy, but the things that were obtained because of it greatly outweigh this notion to say the least. In order to avoid restrictions (that dark and controlling determent), costly effects may have to result (death), but can be overlooked, depending on the situation, when our desires are meet. America’s desires and aspirations were met, and as a result the obtainment of the Western Hemisphere, land east of the Mississippi River, and the California- New Mexico territory came about. Major and positive are two adjective that actually underestimate the role of nationalism on U.S foreign policy, especially because the advancements were so plentiful and needed.