The Effects of the American Revolution On Women and Their

Contributions to the Revolutionary Cause

Jaskiran Cheema

HST 110

Dr. Carson

December 11, 2023

 The American Revolution gave women the opportunity to step out and contribute

to the war using their physical and mental strength as they broke through societal

norms. This essay will explore the contributions made by women making an immense

impact on women of the elite class including patriots and loyalists done by actively

participating in political boycotts, fundraising, espionage, nursing and even physical

battles.

The reverberations of the American Revolution had a profound impact on the

female population, compelling them to emerge from the shadows and actively

participate during this transformative period. Before the revolution, women occupied a

marginalized position in society, their voices stifled by societal norms. The historical

narrative often neglects their contributions, relegating them to the background while

fathers and husbands assumed authoritative roles within families. Women faced severe

restrictions, being denied the right to own property, manage finances, or engage in legal

agreements independently. The American Revolution, also known as the War of

Independence, presented a catalyst for change, albeit a gradual one, as women began to

assert their roles in society.

Initially relegated to the sidelines, women subtly defied British rule by boycotting

products and supporting the cause through roles like chefs, medics, and caregivers on

the battlefield. However, as time progressed, a noticeable shift occurred. Women not

only became more aware of their roles but also recognized the significance of their

contributions, prompting them to take action against the injustices females had to face.

This realization was particularly pronounced among white women in the elite class.

While they managed household affairs, cared for their people, and participated in

planning defiance against the British, it was a transformative moment that spurred
them into active resistance. However, the circumstances for women of lower status, such

as black enslaved women, were different, as they had no choice but to stay or travel with

their owners, ensuring the safety of their children and loved ones.

One of the most crucial roles in the American Revolution women played was

political awareness and activism which was done in various forms of activism which

included boycotts, protests, and petitions. Women actively challenged gender norms

and participated in the fight for independence by using their unique understanding and

knowledge gained after taking part in performing household duties including managing

business and other finances which usually applies only to the elite women[Marsh, 2004,

pp 162]. Whereas black enslaved women and indentured servants used their experience

to gain an understanding of the patriarchal system and injustice.

Women have long played integral but often indirect roles in times of war. One

remarkable woman who significantly contributed to the Revolutionary cause was

Elizabeth Lichtenstein Johnston, a loyalist, and wife of John Adam Lichtenstein, a

prominent merchant and ardent supporter of the Patriots. Elizabeth went beyond the

traditional expectations for women during this era, making her mark by actively

participating in public assemblies where she fearlessly voiced her opinions on the

ongoing war. One of the most memorable instances of her advocacy took place in

Savannah in 1779, where she passionately declared, “The cause of America is the cause

of all mankind,” emphasizing the universality of the struggle for independence, and

urging her fellow citizens to wholeheartedly support the gallant defenders of their cause

(Marsh, 2004, p.16).

Elizabeth Lichtenstein Johnston's engagement in political discussions was not

merely a consequence of her husband's societal and political connections; rather, it was
a strategic choice that allowed her to maximize her political awareness and influence.

Attending numerous assemblies, she defied societal gender norms by directly expressing

her opinions on political matters, challenging the prevalent notion that women should

act through male representatives. Elizabeth's remarkable efforts not only contributed to

the acknowledgment of women's significant roles in society but also played a pivotal role

in addressing critical issues related to the war. Her actions went beyond personal

empowerment; they symbolized a broader shift in societal expectations during the

American Revolution. By standing against gender norms and actively participating in

political discourse, Elizabeth exemplified the changing dynamics that characterized this

transformative period. This refined version provides a bit more context and emphasizes

the broader societal implications of Elizabeth Lichtenstein Johnston's actions during the

American Revolution.

Moreover, women actively employed written communication, particularly letters,

as a means to disseminate information about the ongoing progress of the war and

strategize responses to the pressing issues of the time. Engaging in extensive

correspondence, they discussed intricate political developments and consistently

encouraged fellow citizens to actively participate in the revolutionary cause(Marsh,

2004). Through the exchange of her letter, she was able to increase her influence on

colonizer women. Her influence and involvement in societal affairs led her to realize

injustice and the lack of common rights women have in society and speak up about.

Elizabeth was one of the women who was able to bring the idea of women's

empowerment using her knowledge and understanding of the political system.

Additionally, The American Revolution had a massive impact on both loyalist and

Patriot women as they began challenging the gender roles such as not staying lowkey,
not participating in public events and not sharing their point of view as they were

considered insignificant but women like Ann Gwinnett and Elena/“Nelly” Graham along

with Deborah Sampson and many others played a significant role in defying the gender

roles established during the American Revolution.

Ann Gwinnett is a prime example of the transformational power of eloquent

female appeals to male authority. Though her husband Buttonne Gwinnett was

well-known for signing the Declaration of Independence who was later murdered, Ann

Gwinnett's following works were potentially more revolutionary(mesh 2004, pp 175).

She addressed two powerful individuals directly in poignant letters, claiming that "the

blood of the slain cries for vengeance, the widow and orphan in unutterable and

inexpressible grief seek to you in the midst of it for relief" (Marsh 2004, 175).

Remarkably, she explicitly acknowledged her deviation from social conventions, noting,

"These things (tho from a Woman, & it is not our sphere, yet I cannot help it) are all

true" (Marsh 2004, pg 176). Ann Gwinnett's impassioned remarks highlight the

significant effect literate women held in moulding viewpoints and pursuing justice at

critical junctures in history.

Women's education had a huge impact on women during the Revolutionary

period as it caused them trouble as they were put in charge of the family under certain

conditions, such as the death of her husband, a woman might engage in a male

occupation or activity. Women often served as inn and tavern keepers, and they

sometimes became shopkeepers, as well. (Lewis 1994, pg 24). Women were less likely to

take active roles in such matters. However, Ann Gwinnett’s petition was considered her

stepping out of the “gender sphere”. Her actions are emotionally packed and powerful,

emphasizing the human toll of violence and sorrow. Her awareness that she is leaving
the sphere emphasizes her willingness to express herself and seek redress against

cultural norms

An article written by Abigail M. Smith who simplifies Herman Mann's article

written in 1797 describes his impression of Deborah Sampson Gannett, one of the most

significant women during the Revolutionary War of America. Gannett was also referred

to as a “cross-dressing female soldier” who led a “sexually liberated life by defying all the

gender roles and norms for women during the 1700s. According to Mann, it was

Gannett's devotion to the genderless ideal of “liberty” that led to taking such action -

fighting in the war. They also did not want to entice women away from the house.

Instead, she strove to guarantee that the house did not limit them to ignorance by

enhancing their education.

Through the article, we can see many examples of Gannett’s exemplary actions

which defy the gender roles set during the era of revolution and helped improve

women's status in society. Although she did step outside the gender sphere, she was

rewarded honourably after announcing her appearance as a woman. Gannett was one of

the women who was able to introduce the significance of women in society which

positively affected women. Due to women like Deborah, Ann Elizabeth and so on,

women were able to gain more opportunities. For instance, improvement in the

education system which started paying more attention to women’s education.

Women started voicing their opinions but it did not impact women of lower

status such as black enslaved mothers and indentured servants who had no choice but to

stay with their owners due to the lack of knowledge. Black enslaved women along with

Native American women were not able to enjoy more rights as the colonizer women did

which illustrates the lack of impact on women. Moreover, the end of the Revolutionary
War and the return of husbands and fathers caused the majority of influence produced

by women to die down which caused them to once again follow the gender roles.

In conclusion, Women were able to break through some of the gender restrictions

and notably contributed to war efforts as women such as Elizabeth Lichtenstein,

Deborah Sampson and many more actively participated in political discourse and

activism. Due to their contributions, women experienced transformative effects which

increased awareness of women's capabilities along with their importance in society.

Despite the fact that some women made significant advancements, the impact differed

across socioeconomic strata, highlighting the complicated complexities of gender roles

at this critical juncture in history.

 Work Cited

Marsh, Ben. “Women and the American Revolution in Georgia.” The Georgia Historical

Quarterly, vol. 88, no. 2, 2004, pp. 157–178, www.jstor.org/stable/40584736.

Accessed 11 Nov. 2023.

In this article, Ben March explains the experience of women during the American

Revolution. He thoroughly explains the experience of women during this era by using

multiple examples of notable women. He mentions the contributions women made

during the Revolutionary War and the impact it had on others in both negative and

positive ways by showcasing the difference in the opportunities between the elite class

women in comparison to the enslaved black women. His journal mainly focused on

women living in Georgia which was primarily on both patriot and loyalist women

making contributions to society. They raised awareness regarding women's rights using

unique methods depending on factors such as who they were married to or the family

they belonged to along with their standing in society.

Snyder, Emily C. “Gender, Power, and Female Revolutionaries.” Latin American

Research Review, 12 Oct. 2022, pp. 1–12, https://doi.org/10.1017/lar.2022.85.

Accessed 11 Nov. 2023.

In this article, Emily C. Snyder explores the complications between Gender, power

relations, and the role of female revolutionaries in history compared to present

situations. Snyder mentions how participation of women in political discourse

influenced the others(women) to partake in this discourse as well which only impacted

their agency and influence in society but also caused a drastic change in their lives.

Synder mentions some notable examples of such throughout the journal.

“Vol. 14 No. 1 (1917) | the Journal of the Friends Historical Society.”

https://journals.sas.ac.uk/fhs/issue/view/402. Accessed 11 Nov. 2023.

This publication provides a collection of articles and research papers on many issues

relating to Quaker history, such as the movement's origins, development in various

locations, and effect on society. The writers of this article explore women's

responsibilities and their contributions to society as they not only manage their

households with bare prior experience but also contribute to society using different

strategies as seen by some of the noteworthy examples in this article.

Smith, Abigail M. “Among the Revolutions of Her Sex”: The Biographies of Deborah

Sampson Gannett and Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin.” Women’s Writing, vol. 23,

no. 3, 13 May 2016, pp. 339–353,

https://doi.org/10.1080/09699082.2016.1159024. Accessed 11 Nov. 2023.

In this article, Abigail M. Smith dives deep into the history of two of the most significant

women in the history of the American Revolution as she explores their relationship with

their loved ones and the contributions made in order to keep them safe. Smith goes into

detail regarding their disobedience when it came to following the gender roles as these

women stepped out of the gender sphere and set examples for the rest of the female

population.
Lewis, Jan. “Women and the American Revolution.” OAH Magazine of History, vol. 8,

no. 4, 1994, pp. 23–26, www.jstor.org/stable/25162982. Accessed 11 Nov. 2023.

This article explains women's contributions made during the American Revolution in

which they mention the roles of women in the household before and after the death of

their husbands which was an outcome of following the gender roles. They also mention

the responsibilities that came along with following the gender roles which led many to

take action towards this issue. The article states how women took actions towards this

case scenario which resulted in them gaining rights which only applied to the elite class

as there was little to no change in the lives of enslaved black women who had meager

understanding and knowledge regarding political matters.