Women, in the early republic, had a submerged status. They were over- looked, invisible, and according to Zinn, oppressed like black slaves. Their main role in society was child bearer. “Their physical characteristics became a convenience for men, who could use, exploit, and cherish someone who was at the same time servant, sex mate, companion, and bearer-teacher-warden of his children.” Many women in the early years of the republic came to America as indentured servants. Most were teenage girls, expected to obey their superiors, like slaves, but their service would eventually come to an end. However, they were treated harshly, poorly paid, and deprived of privacy and good food. Their masters saw any sign of resistance or difficu
It was rare for women to participate in public affairs; during the Revolution, “women formed patriotic groups, carried out anti-British actions, and wrote articles for independence.” They were active in the campaign against the British tea tax, which made the tea prices intolerably high. They organized Daughters of Liberty groups which boycotted British goods, and urged women to make their own clothes and buy only goods made in America. By the end of the Revolution, women were more active in their public roles and more people acknowledged the fact that women deserved to be treated better. Thomas Paine even spoke out for the equal rights of women. Although only 40% of women were literate, they were acquiring more important jobs such as publishing newspapers, managi
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