Research prospectus doc HIUS512 PerezKimberly
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Liberty University *
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512
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History
Date
Dec 6, 2023
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docx
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Uploaded by bdroach
Research Prospectus:
Women’s Roles as spies and their Impact on the American Revolution
Kimberly Perez
HIUS 512: American Revolution
November 7, 2023
Selected Topic
The selected topic examines women’s roles as spies during the American Revolution and how
their espionage impacted the American Revolution.
Research Question
How did female spies of the American Revolution impact various aspects of both the Patriots
and the Loyalists in the war?
Preliminary Thesis Statement
The roles, impact, and contributions of female spies in American Revolution took on many forms
and many women were instrumental in the fight on either side. Many women were compelled to help
their country but their opportunities to do so were thin. Drawn in by their loyalty many women resorted
to being spies for the cause. In the end, it is without doubt that their espionage impacted the
Revolutionary war.
Research Prospectus
The presented research paper will have a focus on examining the roles, actions, and impact of
female spies during the American Revolution and how their efforts affected the Colonies and the British
Empire. The beginning of the research paper will explore the life of pre-Revolution colonial era women.
The central focal point will be on several specific women and their roles as spies including their actions
and impact during the American Revolutionary War, regardless of their position of Patriots or Loyalists.
Individuals such as Ann Bates, Anna Smith Strong, Lydia Darragh to name a few were some of these
female spies.
It’s important to understand the social roles of women during that time. Men went to war and
women were expected to stay behind, tend to children, maintain the family home, and continue in their
domestic duties. However, many women felt compelled to do more and while some women protested,
some provided supplies and spun textiles for the militia, some changed their habits i.e. drinking coffee
instead of tea but a few decided that espionage was their forte. With the risk of being killed these
women were taking an enormous chance but their loyalty was stronger.
The research paper will utilize various sources, with a combination of primary and secondary
resources. Some of the primary resources include, The Washington Papers, The Letters of John and
Abigail Adams, and Mercy Otis Warren Papers. These documents will provide insight into their daily lives,
and action in the war effort.
A selection of various secondary resources will be evaluated and utilized
including, Revolutionary Mothers: Women in the Struggle for Americas Independence; From Daughters
of Liberty to Women of the Republic: American Women in the Era of the American. And finally, it will
address individual females spies specifically which will come from a selection of primary and secondary
sources.
Explanation of Historical Significance
During the Colonial era women’s roles in society were often confined solely to the roles of
domesticity in the household. However, during the American revolution some women found their
domestic position as not enough. Just as loyal as fighting men were to their country, these women found
usefulness in the realm of espionage. Men fighting in the war had little reason to suspect the female kind
as being treasonous. Often in the background, these women helped their fellow countryman with
information and secrets. This information and these stories are highly documented and incredibly
significant to the outcome of the war.
These spies were incredibly successful such as Anna Strong with
the Culpher Ring, who used her strung out laundry to relay messages to the colonists right in from of the
British. There are many more stories of female spies and their successes in relaying information on the
enemy. In fact, Washington himself was heralded as the “Great Spymaster” (MountVernon.org). The
historical significance is clear, female spies helped by providing information to their loyal parties.
Research Plan
The research of this paper is available via free access on a variety of different online sources such
as Liberty University’s Jerry Falwell Library website, The National Archives, JSTOR, The National Women’s
History Museum, the Library of Congress, and other resources that are related to the American
Revolution. I will do the research and compose the paper and submit on time through my canvas
account. No travel or expenses will be included or required.
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Bibliography
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The Letters of John and Abigail Adams
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A history of the American revolution
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