Introduction
Patriotism, courage, and willingness to serve the country are not exclusive to men. Men who take up arms to defend their land are heroes; however, even the heroes need support and motivation to do their duty. In this regard, war can create opportunities for women to distinguish themselves and challenge gender-based stereotypes. Mercy Otis Warren (1728-1814), an American playwright and historian, played an invaluable role in promoting the cause of the American Revolution and recording its history for future generations. A loving wife and caring mother, she entered politics later in life and inspired Americans to join the patriotic cause with her poems and plays. In the 18th century, a woman could not enlist the army and fight on the battlefield. Moreover, women were not even welcomed into political discussions (American Revolution: Biographies, n.d.). However, in the case of the American Revolution, the war gave patriotic women like Warren an opportunity to partake in political life, which was revolutionary by itself.
Social Position of Women Before the American Revolution
Women were largely excluded from social and political life in 18th century America. Their role was predominantly limited to domestic and family duties. However, Otises were quite liberal in their attitude towards reading and education. When Joseph, Mercy’s elder brother, showed no interest in academics, her parents allowed her to take his place in the tutoring sessions (Taylor, 2020). In this regard, Warren received the education and skills unusual for an American woman of her time.
However, one should not think that Warren was a feminist activist. Despite her natural talent, good education, and family support, she still believed that a woman should prioritize domestic and wifely duties (American Revolution: Biographies, n.d.). In her correspondence, Warren often solicited friends’ opinions on whether she lives an appropriate life (Murray, 2019). Warren’s patriotic plays, such as The Adulateur (1772), The Defeat (1773), and The Group (1775), were written anonymously in order to avoid the likely backlash. Nevertheless, Warren’s patriotism outweighed her doubts about women’s social status as the conflict between American colonists and British authorities brewed stronger.
Revolution: An Opportunity for Empowerment
Throughout the 1760s and early 1770s, the British Empire introduced several controversial taxation policies such as the Stamp Act, the Townshend Acts, and the Tea Act. American colonists regarded these policies as unfair, as they clearly benefited the mother country. Eventually, the protests resulted in the famous Boston Tea Party, when a group of American patriots threw about 340 crates of English tea into the Boston Harbor (American Revolution: Biographies, n.d.). It became evident that Great Britain would not tolerate such disobedience.
In the wake of the looming war, Warren overcame her gender-based doubts and wrote a series of satirical plays to support the patriotic cause. In The Adulateur (1973), she warned her fellow citizens that soon they might have to defend their liberty with arms. The Group (1775) openly ridiculed the British Loyalists and convinced some of the people of Boston to join the active resistance. Warren also started a friendship with Abigail Adams, a fellow female patriot. Their opinions were respected and solicited by male patriots (American Revolution: Biographies, n.d.). Therefore, American Revolutionary War provided capable women like Warren and Adams with an opportunity to influence political events, which was almost unthinkable before.
Conclusion
Women of 18th century America were supposed to dedicate their lives to domestic and wifely duties. However, the American Revolutionary War created an opportunity for significant changes. For instance, Mercy Otis Warren could not fight on the battlefield — instead, she became a warrior of quill and inspired patriots to defend their land and liberty. In this regard, American Revolution was “revolutionary” for women since it gave them a chance to participate in political life and serve the nation.
References
American Revolution: Biographies. (n.d.). Mercy Otis Warren.
Murray, H. (2019). The role of women in the American Revolution. Cavendish Square Publishing.
Taylor, L. (2020). America’s forgotten patriot: Mercy Otis Warren and the writings that fanned the flames of revolution. Saber & Scroll Historical Journal, 9(2), 43-68.