Republican Motherhood

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

The Revolutionary War inspired heightened enthusiam for ideals like independence, patriotism, and republicanism. It became a common belief following the Revolution that such ideals needed to be instilled into the minds of generations of Americans to come, and it became the hallowed service of the mother to instill such virtues in their sons (Document A).

• What were the consequences of Republican Motherhood on women?

It was commonly agreed at the time that it was a mother's job to instill republican ideals in their sons. To quote Jonathan F. Stearns in Document D, "On you, ladies, depends, in a most important degree, the destiny of our country." There were several opinions as to how women could best accomplish this task. For example, in Document A, Mrs. A.J. Graves writes of how women should restrict their lives to the household, and that women have no influential place in society outside of their "appropriate domain". Benjamin Rush, in Document B, stated that in order to accomplish their duties they needed a certain amount of education, and thus proposed educating young women.

• What is the significance of the ideology of Republican Motherhood as a stage in the process of woman's socialization?

The role of women in Republican Motherhood gave them an individual and cherished role in society. It changed the mindset of women, and led them to believe that the "...reformation of the world is in [their] power." (Document C). Their growing role in the functioning of America led to increased pride and self-assertion. Mary Morris writes in Document C that "...Already may we see the lovely daughters of Columbia asserting the importance and the honor of their sex."

• Describe the setting:

A young and rather attractive-looking woman is portrayed on a pink sofa, and she is surrounded by her two young sons, who are interestingly dressed up in female dresses.

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

The woman is at the center of the portrait, which portrays her as the central and dominant figure. The woman appears young and attractive, but she differs from Old-World aristocratic excessiveness in that her dress and hair are plain and muted.

• What values do her sons exhibit?

Her sons portray the growing importance of women in society and family life, most likely a symbolic portrayal of the influence of Republican Motherhood.

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

The position of Mrs. Tilghman's arm could suggest the restraint and influence that she exerts over her children. She holds it over her younger son's lap, perhaps to protect him if he falls and to direct him and influence his actions/