Exploring American Histories: Printed Page 191
Interpret the Evidence
What types of activities did female patriots undertake in the service of the colonies? What evidence is offered about how men responded to these activities?
In addition to carrying secret messages to General Washington, how else does Deborah Champion reveal her support for the colonial cause (Document 6.7)?
What unique dangers did women face during the war, whether loyalist, neutral, or patriot? In what ways did being female offer new opportunities during a time of war?
Although many women had participated actively in pre-Revolutionary boycotts and protests, they were still confined largely to the domestic sphere. How did these women justify their public and political actions (Documents 6.7, 6.8, and 6.9)?
How did the different social and economic backgrounds of the women represented here affect their experiences during the war?
What groups of women are not represented in the documents? How might historians study the lives of these women?
Put It in Context
What were women’s main contributions to the war effort? How did their efforts shape the outcome of the war and the lives of their families?