Republican Motherhood Blog

1. What role did Revolutionary War play in the transformation of housewifery to Republican Motherhood?

The Revolutionary war brought women a whole new role in their society than they had ever had before. Women were usually expected to look after the house and kids. But women contributed to the war effort while their husbands were gone. With these new responsibilities women of the revolution began their roles in society. The Revolution caused and let women have a chance to step up and contribute to their communities. Soon into the revolution the colonial women had new responsibilities such as educating themselves and taking care their husbands properties.  The education allowed them to pass on the education to their children and teach them the importance  of government and liberty.

2. What were the consequences of Republican Motherhood on women?

Women were not taken serious, those who wanted to become more important and influential in their communities. People thought women were not able to do anything except for being a house wife. The common belief that most people during this time period is women should only take care of the house. They did not realize what more they had to offer. The idea of women having more power in the colonies is unacceptable. It they did not fulfilled their responsibilities in the house they were not accepted as the others who did.

3.What is the significance of the ideology of Republican Motherhood as the stage in process of women's socialization?

It allowed women during that time and future to realized that they should have opportunities for different roles in their societies rather than just being a housewife. By becoming more educated and wanting to become responsible for more important things. Women kept on pushing harder and harder to achieve this goal.

 Describe the setting

The setting is the mother sitting on the couch with her two sons but they are missing a father. However, it seems they are all happy. Even though there is not much light.

Who serves at the center of the portrait and why? How does the women look? How is she "republican" rather than aristocratic?

The center of the portrait is the mother of the two kids this is because she is holding the two kids. The mother looks like a young and wealthy mother. She is a "republican" because this picture shows that she is taking care of her kids. Not a servant that she hired like the aristocratic would do. In addition, since her husband is missing it is implying that she is more independent than other women.

What values do her son's exhibit?

The sons look like they have a really close bond with their mother because they are close together in the picture.

Is there a significance to the position of Mrs. Tilgham's arm?

I think the significance is that her arms is holding her children close to her because she must have spend more time with her children. This is because they all care for each other and she is showing her natural mother instincts.