Discussion Post
I included the Benjamin Franklin's letter so that you may understand how women were viewed by men during this time. We must understand that Abigail Adams' letter was quite brave and out of the ordinary. In general, men viewed women, during the 1700s, as subservient and inferior to men. Most women, in Abigail's position, would not have risked losing their social status and the life to which they had become accustomed by writing such a letter.
1) Are women property? Are they marriage partners? Are they only "vassals" (subordinates) of men?
2) What was Abigail Adams asking for when she wrote, "Remember the ladies"? (Hint: It's not equal rights. That would have been far too much to ask for.)
3) What does she mean by "...all men would be tyrants..."?
4) What does "despotism of the petticoat" mean?
5) Why does Abigail Adams write a letter to her friend, Mercy Otis Warren, after receiving John Adams' reply?
6) What does she tell her friend?
7) Do you think Abigail Adams felt like her husband had heard her pleas and respected her views? Explain.
8) Why are the women mentioned on pages 187-189 of your textbook seen as revolutionaries?
9) Were women represented in the Constitution? Explain.
10) Are women now represented in the Constitution? Explain?
11) What would a government set up by all women look like? (Currently Finland's top government leaders are all women.)
The response must include a reference list. Using Times New Roman 12 pnt font, double-space, one-inch margins, and APA style of writing and citations.