Republican Motherhood Blog

1. The Revolutionary War completely changed the role of women from just being housewives, to actually being cultivators of the next generation through Republican Motherhood.  Following the war many men saw the highest calling of the woman to be educating the future leaders of the country at home, "Is she a patriot? It is here she can best serve her country, by training up good citizens, just, human, and enlightened legislators." as described in Document A. Women were no longer asked to menially make sure the household operated smoothly, but were actually called upon to be thoroughly educated to ensure they can teach their children to be sound American citizens (Document B). Now people saw the household as less of a physical thing, and more of a symbolic representation of the nurture of the future generations that would lead the nation and it would be the woman's job to ensure that her household instilled the correct values within its inhabitants (Document D).

2. Some consequences, in regard to women, did exist as a result of Republican Motherhood. One main one was that this ideology constricted the social mobility of women and forced them to focus on their singular domain, the household. "... whenever she neglects these duties, or goes out of this sphere of action to mingle in any great public movements of the day, she is deserting the station which God and nature have assigned to her." (Document A). Now women were expected to focus even harder on their station at home and avoid become a more pivotal figure in the social workings of the nation. Still though, women were now expected to be educated as a result of Republican Motherhood to ensure the correct nurture of their children (Document B). Women were eventually even called upon to become the caretakers of American society because "She is fitted by nature to cheer the afflicted, elevate the depressed, minister to the wants of the feeble and diseased..." (Document D).

3. The ideology of Republican Motherhood was a significant step in the socialization of American women. Mainly because women took that first, and very important, step from just housewives, to actual educators, caretakers, and cultivators of the American population. "The first remark that I shall make upon this subject is that female education should be accommodated to the state of society, manners, and government of the country in which it is conducted." (Document B). Suddenly women were now getting calls for education to further their ability to nurture, which would eventually set the stage for further social and educational progress for women. Looking even by 1780 women were then capable to voice their opinions within writing, and very strong writing at that (Document C). A woman's role in society  even further escalated as Republican Motherhood set the stage for even people calling for women to be let into the social process and serve as the mediators and the caretakers not just domestically, but also in society (Document D).

1. A mother and her two sons are seated on a couch in a fairly dull room. The sons seem to be drawn to the stately portrayed mother in the portrait and are strangely dressed in women's attire.

2. At the center of the portrait is the mother. She is drawn quite distinctly with strong posture and an aura of a peaceful and nurturing spirit. She is more republican as opposed to the Old War aristocracy in the sense that she is dressed more humbly and muted while she also emanates the caring, but still strong nature of the republican principle in contrast to the pompous and haughty gloating of the aristocracy.

3. Her sons seem to be drawn to the mother and portray the values that associate the role of the nurturing mother with Republicanism. The boys seem to be under control which can be connected to moral stability, most likely stemming from the ideals and representing Republican Motherhood.

4. The significance of Mrs. Tilgham's arm being positioned around one of her sons is to show how women are supposed to guide and protect their children to instill the values associated with the American ideals. By showing how the mother guides her children with gentle control it shows how the caring nature of the notion behind Republican Motherhood is portrayed within this portrait.