Crash Course U.S. History: Wonder Women

Introduction

• Presenter: John Green
• Focus on women transforming pre-Civil War America.
• Aim: Recognizing contributions of women in history, often overlooked in male-dominated narratives.

Pre-Civil War America

• Colonial Era:

  • Women were legally/socially subservient to men.
  • Lower-class women were more equal to their male counterparts.
  • Patriarchal society restricted women, especially in higher classes.

• American Revolution:

  • Women participated but were expected to marry and have children.
  • Principle of coverture: Husbands had authority over wives.
  • Women couldn’t own property, hence couldn’t vote.
  • Republican Motherhood: Women needed education to raise future male citizens.

Economic Changes and Social Movements

• Market Revolution:

  • Shift from home to factory production.
  • Gave rise to the "cult of domesticity" – women’s place seen in the home.

• Cult of Domesticity:

  • Women’s role to support husbands, provide non-market values like love and friendship.
  • Harriet Beecher Stowe's sister, Catherine, reflected some domesticity sentiments.

• Work and Reform:

  • Limited job opportunities: Factory work, domestic servants, seamstresses, and teaching.
  • Women became involved in reform movements.

Women's Role in Reform Movements

• Reform Movements:

  • Women like Dorothea Dix advocated for the mentally ill.
  • Temperance movement: Carrie Nation and Frances Willard were notable figures.
  • Prohibition was seen as a public health measure.

• Anti-Slavery Movement:

  • Women like Maria Stewart, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and the Grimke sisters were notable advocates.
  • Women's rights and abolitionism were closely linked.

Women's Rights Movement

• Seneca Falls Convention (1848):

  • Led by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott.
  • Declaration of Sentiments modeled on the Declaration of Independence.

• International and Class Dynamics:

  • Movement had international ties and was primarily middle/upper-class.
  • Sojourner Truth highlighted working women’s struggles.
  • Amelia Bloomer advocated for practical clothing for women.

Challenges and Resistance

• Faced resistance from patriarchal society.
• Critics misrepresented women’s rights goals as calls for "free love".
• U.S. abolished slavery before granting women the right to vote.
• Equal Rights Amendment never ratified despite passing Congress.

Conclusion

• Women played key roles in 19th-century reform movements.
• They began to enter public spheres and challenged domestic norms.
• Women’s contributions brought significant changes and questioned entrenched societal norms.

Credits

• Produced and directed by Stan Muller.
• Written by Raoul Meyer and John Green.
• Graphics by Thought Cafe.
• Audience encouraged to engage and ask questions.