Women’s History Essay

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Women’s History Essay

The end of civil war in the United States helped in evaluation of the impact of different groups, especially women. As in any other communities, the role of women, especially after the civil war, was evident. Various female characters showed up expressing their opinions towards the rift and the fight to liberate the slaves and protect women and children in the country. Besides, the women stood at the front line through forming groups and protesting for their rights. However, they faced tough consequences before justice was done. The paper will discuss the experience of women in the post-civil war in America. It will also discuss the acts, organizations, Congress, conflicts and consequences they encountered.

            After the civil war, women displayed their gratitude to the noble work done. Despite thousands of men who died in the battle, they were fighting for the common good and welfare of the under-privileged slaves[1]. As a result, the women took the front line to thank the gentlemen for their devotion to protecting their women and children[2]. On this point, Rebecca Latimer Felton displayed her courage in her strong speeches to thank the warriors and the government for their goodwill. Felton emphasized the importance of the courageous men in protecting their children and women[3]. She stressed that their mothers should be protected from any source of harm. The warriors should be vigilant in protecting their children and families. They should be protected from dramshop. She pointed out that lack of protection of mothers affected them. Besides, they deserve to be guarded, protected and defended. Their happiness was reduced by barrooms[4]. The rooms were selling liquor that without doubt, affected the lives of their children, making their mothers to lose hope on them. Moreover, women took the role of entertaining Americans despite the war tension that was in every part of the country. Women who took such role were Clyde and Bonnie. Although their acknowledgment appeared late after their deaths, the women appeared bond and courageous using guns to fight with other men. Each of them had unique features, Clyde was portrayed as hot-tempered while Bonnie was a high-spirited person[5]. The women were involved in violent crime. However, despite the crimes, they were viewed with the notion of entertainment. The duos had formed a grouped that could seduce other people to criminal activities.

            Further, women played a major role in seeking their rights and recognition in the state government. Their solidarity helped them to make major moves that created one voice in the country. Such a move was seen in Emma Goldman. The lady had been disrupted by use of anarchy in the country[6]. As a result, they teamed up with people with similar motives such as Alexander Berkman whom they developed to affairs. Through her boldness, Goldman she became the speaker of the anarchist community. She went against all the odds to fight for the social order. In this case, she was fighting for the Women’s Rights. Together with her fiancé, they tried to convince men not to register for the proposed draft of 1917[7]. The move made them to be arrested. As a result, Goldman decided to write a letter to the jury. However, her pleas were not attended to despite her goodwill. Instead, the two were convicted and found guilty[8]. As a result, the court ordered that the two to be deported back to Russia, which was their mother country[9]. However, I believe that what Goldman was fighting for was right and fair. She was pressuring the government to ensure there is equality between men and women. Women should be given equal roles and responsibilities as their men counterpart. Additionally, women should not be undermined and discriminated in social responsibilities. Instead, they were supposed to be recognized and honored. The struggle for women’s rights did not stop there. The same approach was used by Mary Elizabeth. While addressing the president and other citizens, Elizabeth pointed her concern as a woman. She drew the pointed of being oppressed and denied her rights[10]. She affirmed that women have read and they are intelligent enough to handle social matters as well as their male counterparts. Therefore, she stated that there was no difference between the two genders. She accepted the fact that we are living in a changing world and which is led by thoughts and great brains[11]. Therefore, she was calling for the recognition of the role of a woman in the society. Women were facing the challenge of political and economic oppression. Instead, men were viewed as the dominant in the field of politics and economics[12]. However, Elizabeth was against the idea. She considered that women have become enlightened and they are capable of fighting for the same positions with the men in the society[13].

            After the civil war, women started using their power to support and condemn different political moves and changing society views. Hence, they stood out firmly to share their own opinions and to fight for their rights. As a result, they indicated their important roles in the society. For instance, Rebecca Latimer showed her support for prohibition of some practices in the society[14]. Additionally, women stood to have their rights recognized and identified. In this case, we have an example of Mary Elizabeth[15]. They also played the role of entertaining, which has been demonstrated by Bonnie and Clyde. 

References

“Emma Goldman’s Address to the Jury (1917),” American Perspectives: Readings in American

History, Vol 2, 6 edt., Kent McGauthy, (Pearson Learning Solutions, 2015),325.

“Rebecca Latimer Felton Endorses Prohibition (1895),” American Perspectives: Readings in

American History, Vol 2, 6 edt., Kent McGauthy, (Pearson Learning Solutions, 2015), 67.

“The Legend of Bonnie and Clyde (1934)” American Perspectives: Readings in American

History, Vol 2, 6 edt., Kent McGauthy, (Pearson Learning Solutions, 2015), 408.

“Two Speeches by Mary Elizabeth Lease, (1890)” American Perspectives: Readings in

American History, Vol 2, 6 edt., Kent McGauthy, (Pearson Learning Solutions, 2015), 120.

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[1] “Rebecca Latimer Felton Endorses Prohibition (1895),” American Perspectives: Readings in American History, Vol 2, 6 edt., Kent McGauthy, (Pearson Learning Solutions, 2015),67.

[2] Ibid

[3] “Rebecca Latimer Felton Endorses Prohibition (1895),” American Perspectives: Readings in American History, Vol 2, 6 edt., Kent McGauthy, (Pearson Learning Solutions, 2015),67.

[4] Ibid

[5] “The Legend of Bonnie and Clyde (1934)” American Perspectives: Readings in American History, Vol 2, 6 edt., Kent McGauthy, (Pearson Learning Solutions, 2015), 408.

[6] “Emma Goldman’s Address to the Jury (1917),” American Perspectives: Readings in American History, Vol 2, 6 edt., Kent McGauthy, (Pearson Learning Solutions, 2015),325.

[7] Ibid

[8] Ibid

[9] Ibid

[10] “Two Speeches by Mary Elizabeth Lease, (1890)” American Perspectives: Readings in American History, Vol 2, 6 edt., Kent McGauthy, (Pearson Learning Solutions, 2015), 120.

[11] Ibid

[12] “Two Speeches by Mary Elizabeth Lease, (1890)” American Perspectives: Readings in American History, Vol 2, 6 edt., Kent McGauthy, (Pearson Learning Solutions, 2015), 120.

[13] Ibid

[14] “Rebecca Latimer Felton Endorses Prohibition (1895),” American Perspectives: Readings in American History, Vol 2, 6 edt., Kent McGauthy, (Pearson Learning Solutions, 2015),67.

[15] Ibid