https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suhhzjTHGLc
Women’s involvement in the Revolutionary War started their political impact in America.
The presidential election of 1816 was between the Federalist candidate, Rufus King, and the democratic-republican candidate, James Monroe. At the time, the federalists were beginning to lose support, causing the democratic-republicans to gain popularity.
Federalists encouraged women’s participation in politics more then the Democratic-republicans, though neither party actually wanted women involved.
There were various ways that women were indirectly involved in politics such as, influencing their sons, father, and husbands.
“Men seemed too involved, too distracted, and too passionate to dampen the flames of party conflict and division.” (Zaggari, 125)
“’[Women] have it in their power to inculcate ‘respect, sobriety, and decency in the youth, and pointedly to wit-hold their smiles and civilities from all who transgress these in the smallest degrees. This is a method of proceeding that will most certainly be victorious.’ By rewarding certain behaviors and sanctioning others, women could turn society away from party strife and toward mutuality, harmony, and unity.” (Zaggari, 129)
“Rather than convince men through reason or logic, they should manipulate them with the power of their beauty, the ‘magic’ of their smiles, ‘threats’ of their tears, or the virtue of their moral example. Acting as her “husband’s faithful friend and privy counselor,” a wife could take advantage of his ‘childlike moods,’ when ‘his feelings and affections are melted and softened into unusual plasticity,’ and turn his ambition, self-interest, and doubt ‘onto the path of virtue.’” (Zagarri, 129)
Depending on what party you belonged to, affected the way you perceived women. Women who supported your party were seen as virtuous, moral, and innocent.
Women who did not support your party were seen in a negative way.
Works Cited
Zagarri, Rosemarie. Revolutionary Backlash: Women and Politics in the Early American Republic. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania, 2007. Print.
Brown, James, perf. It's a Man's Man's Man's World. Universe, 2002. MP3.