Research Prospectus_

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Research Prospectus: Women’s Roles in the American Revolution Keriann Lekoski HIUS512: American Revolution Professor Christopher Smith September 6, 2023

1 Selected Topic The topic I have selected for this research project is determining what roles women played in the American Revolution. Research Question How did the American Revolution transform and challenge traditional gender roles, and what roles did women play in shaping the outcome of the revolution? Preliminary Thesis Statement Throughout the American Revolution, women emerged as indispensable contributors to the revolutionary cause, often operating in unconventional and unheralded roles. Beyond the traditional confines of domesticity, women actively participated in shaping the outcome of the revolution by engaging as activists, nurses, spies, and essential supporters of the home front. These multifaceted contributions challenged prevailing gender norms, sparked conversations about women's rights and societal roles, and, ultimately, played a pivotal role in the broader socio-political changes that characterized the revolutionary era. This research paper seeks to explore the multifaceted ways in which women's involvement in the American Revolution helped redefine and transform traditional gender roles while significantly influencing the trajectory and ultimate success of the revolutionary movement. Research Prospectus The American Revolution of the late 18th century marked a critical turning point in the history of the United States, one characterized by the pursuit of independence from British rule and the establishment of a fledgling republic. While the conventional narrative of the Revolution often focuses on the actions of prominent male figures, it is essential to recognize the substantial contributions of women to this transformative period in American history. This research paper

2 aims to investigate and analyze the multifaceted roles played by women during the American Revolution, shedding light on their agency, resilience, and impact on the course of history. This research will draw upon feminist historical perspectives to explore the ways in which women's roles during the American Revolution challenged existing gender norms and contributed to broader social and political change. It will also examine the intersectionality of race, class, and gender in shaping women's experiences and opportunities during this era. By examining women's roles in the American Revolution, this research seeks to contribute to a more inclusive and nuanced understanding of this pivotal period in American history. It aims to highlight the agency and resilience of women, their impact on the revolutionary cause, and their role as early catalysts for discussions about women's rights and gender equality. Moreover, this research may offer insights into the lasting effects of women's contributions to the American Revolution on subsequent movements for women's rights and social reform. Explanation of Historical Significance Women contributed significantly to the success of the American Revolution. They played roles as nurses, cooks, seamstresses, and even as soldiers in some cases. Their efforts were crucial in maintaining the home front, providing support for troops, and ensuring the logistical and emotional stability of the Revolutionary forces. Women engaged in political activism during the Revolution, advocating for the cause of independence and participating in protests, boycotts, and fundraising efforts. Their involvement in political discourse laid the groundwork for future activism and the eventual women's suffrage movement.The activism and agency displayed by women during the American Revolution can be seen as an early precursor to the women's suffrage movement and the broader quest for gender equality in the United States. Their efforts

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3 demonstrated that women were not passive bystanders but active participants in the nation's founding and development. Research Plan This research will utilize a combination of primary and secondary sources, including letters, diaries, official documents, historical records, and scholarly works, to construct a comprehensive understanding of women's roles in the American Revolution. Archival research and analysis of relevant historical accounts will be employed to gather empirical evidence of women's activities during this period.

4 Bibliography Berkin, Carol. “‘It Was I Who Did It’: Women’s Role in the Founding of the Nation.” Phi Kappa Phi Forum 86, no. 3 (July 15, 2006): 15–18. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx? direct=true&db=ofm&AN=504205039&site=ehost-live&scope=site. Caldwell, Q. G., & ARMY SERGEANTS MAJOR ACADEMY FORT BLISS TX. (2017). The Importance of Spies to Washington's Success. NCO Journal . DE PAUW, LINDA GRANT. “Women in Combat: THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR EXPERIENCE.” Armed Forces & Society 7, no. 2 (1981): 209–26. http://www.jstor.org/stable/4534622 Ellet, Elizabeth Fries. The women of the American Revolution , 2nd ed. Vol. 3. New York: Baker and Scribner, 1848-50. Sabin Americana: History of the Americas, 1500-1926 (accessed August 25, 2023). https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CY0103143676/SABN? u=vic_liberty&sid=bookmark-SABN&xid=3359a87d&pg=1 . Erkkila, Betsy. “Revolutionary Women.” Tulsa Studies in Women’s Literature 6, no. 2 (1987): 189–223. https://doi.org/10.2307/464269. Fornaciari, M. A. (2015). Patriot and Loyalist Women of the American Revolution: How Feminine Figures Dealt with the Challenges of War and the Confines of Gender (Doctoral dissertation). Grandjean, Katherine. “Women at War in the Borderlands of the Early American Northeast by Gina M. Martino (review).” The William and Mary quarterly. 76, no. 1 (2019): 177–180. Hayden, Judy A. Review of Transatlantic Feminisms in the Age of Revolution , ed. by Lisa L. Moore, Joanna Brooks, and Caroline Wiggins. The Scriblerian and the Kit-Cats 47, no. 1 (2014): 71-72. doi:10.1353/scb.2014.0038 . Hiltner, Judith. “‘She Bled in Secret’: Deborah Sampson, Herman Mann and ‘The Female Review.’” Early American Literature 34, no. 2 (1999): 190–220. http://www.jstor.org/stable/25057161. Klaver, Carol. "An Introduction to the Legend of Molly Pitcher." Minerva XII, no. 2 (Jun 30, 1994): 35, https://go.openathens.net/redirector/liberty.edu? url=https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/introduction-legend-molly- pitcher/docview/222786592/se-2.