Republican Motherhood and the Cult of Domesticity

Although the United States had gained a reputation for its equality, democracy, freedoms, and opportunities, women during this time period were almost completely denied these rights. Between the American Revolution and the outbreak of the Civil War, the ideals of American womanhood began to change. The emergence of ‘republican motherhood’ and the’ cult of domesticity’ were meant to define and outline the ‘perfect’ woman and her role in society. In reality though, these reforms only helped to further suppress and restrict the rights and opportunities of women; limiting them to their own ‘sphere.’ During this time period, many women began breaking the social norm established by the republican motherhood and cult of domesticity mindset and promoting the equality of men and women that reflected there lifestyle.

Woman began to become much more independent and free thinking in general, and adopted more roles in society during this time. In Document A, a woman is writing about how she has had to restrain herself on spending possibly due to a lack of money. She, however, has turned to making the goods her family needs herself, with knitting in particular. This shows how woman are becoming more independent and aren’t heavily relying on men for all their needs. Woman during this time have also been known to support boycotts and help supply the United States in times of war by manufacturing goods. This shows how woman have placed themselves in a more productive role in society.

Document B describes how every citizen has a part in liberty and how Women should be educated so they can instruct ‘their sons in the principles of liberty and government.’ The American Revolution led to expanded support for women’s educational opportunities and this is when the idea of republican motherhood emerged. Even though its ideas limited women’s rights, it did at the time give women a shared responsibility in educating citizens and gives woman some political function and power.

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