Introduction
When you hear the term American Revolution, what images first come to mind? Perhaps it’s Thomas Jefferson drafting the Declaration of Independence, or George Washington leading the Continental Army at Valley Forge. But as you consider these images, consider who is absent from your picture of what you know about the American Revolution.
Abigail Adams, Phillis Wheatley, and Mercy Otis Warren.
Women played significant roles in the Revolutionary War effort, yet their contributions are seldom discussed. They boycotted British-made goods, wrote letters and articles to support the war effort, rode to warn of Redcoat advances, kept their homes and farms running, accompanied their husbands into battle, and even fought. Although women were not legally allowed to be a part of public political life, they still found ways to make their voices heard, and their decisions and choices contributed to the eventual colonial victory.
In this interactive lesson, you will learn about the ways in which a diverse group of women, including Black, Indigenous, and white women, contributed to the Revolutionary War effort and meet some women who were crucial actors in both the Revolutionary and Loyalist causes. At the end of this lesson, you will be asked to answer the following essential question.
Essential Question
In what ways did women contribute to the Revolutionary War effort, and why are their contributions important to fully understanding this period in history?
