Republican Motherhood Blog

Photo#1: Colonial household

1.  What role did the Revolutionary War play in the transformation of housewifery to Republican Motherhood?

Answer: The Revolutionary War transformed women's role from being only domestic, to being of great importance to the wellbeing of the state. Now that the colonies were the United States, the women were charged with teaching their sons republican ideals, and encouraging them to be interested in matters of state. As written in "From Women in America: Being an Examination into the Moral and Intellectual Condition of American Female Society": "she can operate far ore efficiently in promoting the great interest of humanity by supervising her own household than in any other way."

2. What were the consequences of Republican Motherhood on women?

Answer: Women had a greater role in society. They also had more power than before, and a greater say in what happened. They were encouraged to be educated in the English language, penmanship, bookkeeping, and other areas as describe by "Thoughts Upon Female Education." This education and increased role probably paved the foundation for the women's rights movement and ultimately led to women's right to vote.

3. What is the significance of the ideology of Republican Motherhood as a stage in the process of women’s socialization?

Answer: Its significance is that it's a step towards women's equality. Since women were seen now as having an important role in society they had more power. With the additional power and education led to more activities outside the home which in turn probably led to desire for more power and more of a role in society. 

Photo#2: Portrait of Mary Gibson Tilghman and her sons by Charles Willson Peale

1.  Describe the setting.

Answer: The setting is a woman siting on a sofa, her children on her lap looking directly at the viewer.

2. Who serves at the center of the portrait and why?  How does the woman look?  How is she “republican” rather than aristocratic?

Answer: The center of the portrait is Mary Gibson Tilghman. She is the focal point of the picture and is staring directly at the viewer with what looks like a slight, authoritative, proud smile. She is sitting with good posture dressed in plain clothes (an aristocrat would have been wearing a much more colorful and decorated outfit). It is the way she dresses and her facial expression that suggest she is a republican rather than aristocracy.

3. What values do her sons exhibit?

Answer: Her sons show the same refined calm as their mother. Also they display a curiosity for the world that will be of great benefit to them in society. They have happy expressions on their faces, and are clean and well dressed, suggesting that they have been taught proper behavior and manners by their mother.

4. Is there a significance to the position of Mrs. Tilgham’s arm?

Answer: Yes, she is holding one of the boys back from touching the other. In doing this she is guiding him in being civil and responsible, all things that a republican mother of the new country should do. The placement of her arm shows that she has control over her boys, and everything that happens in her household.

Photo#3: Susan B. Anthony