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Women's Role In The Declaration Of Independence

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Over the course of this past year, or what seems like a year, much has changed within what may soon be able to call our colonies. The once King devoted himself to inhibit development, trade, and our livelihoods. Men and women could not stand for such injustice, and small acts of rebellion became the cries for independence that we have all heard.
After much debate and contention, men of the colonies have found themselves independent from the King of England, but where do women find themselves in all of this? One year ago, women were made to be silent home keepers, unable to have a voice. In many regards, this is still the status quo. Even though wives labor away in the home, in fields, and with family, property ownership and fiscal management …show more content…
Throughout the Declaration’s, women are never mentioned exclusively. This gives off the impression that women are not as important as men, and our current status in society speaks to this. Should this truly be the case? The Declaration of Independence is the first document of our new government, and it will decide the future place of women in our government. Yes, “our government.” Even though women are not currently able to vote or run for congress, we are still under the laws and decisions of colonial governments. Yes, women have some voice in political matters, but there is little room to gain rights through the Declaration. Our first document does not solely use masculine nouns. When referring to the situations where a government can be abolished, the word “people” is used (Handout 4.2, pg. 1). Though this can be easily passed over, one can see that a government should include the beliefs of all that abide by its laws and standards (Handout 4.2, pg. 1). Unfortunately, for women, freed slaves, and non-landowning men, who all follow the government’s law, they are not granted the same status given to male property owners. This contradicts a phrase appearing early on in the Declaration, “that all men are created equal” (Handout 4.2, pg. 1). The Declaration of Independence is a uniting force meant to bring all groups in the American colonies together. However, the ideals of the paper do not match what is still in practice by

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