What Role Did Women Play In The American Revolution

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The growing tensions between British authorities and the American colonists lead up to the American Revolution. The colonists were furious with the British for raising revenue by taxing. They wanted their independence from Britain and were willing to fight for it. The war started in 1775, and ended in 1783. Outsiders may say that women did not help win this war, but just like the men, women were there helping and fighting through every step of the way. Although men and women both contributed to the outcome of the American Revolution, women performed significant factors such as being secret spies, fighting in the war themselves, and playing traditional roles on military camp sites. Their traditional roles can be described as women being nurses, …show more content…
Therefore, they were not allowed to fight in the war. For some women, that did not stop them. There were few women who cut off their hair and wrapped their breasts down to pass as men to fight in the war. Some did it for the money and the food, others did it to fight for their country. One example of a female soldier in disguise was Anna Maria lane. She was the only women soldier in Virginia. Anna Maria followed her husband into the continental army, but instead of being a camp follower, she dressed in men’s clothing and performed the responsibilities of a solider. Lane fought in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Georgia. Unfortunately, at a battle in Pennsylvania, she received a leg wound that would leave her unable to walk normally for the rest of her life. “Anna Maria was unable to continue being in the army after this incident and also could not work. She explained this to the military and was able to receive pension pay.” Another amazing female soldier of the revolutionary war was Deborah Sampson. Sampson disguised herself as a man named Robert Shurtlieff and became a soldier to fight in the war. She was from Massachusetts and enlisted into the army in the spring of 1781. She was a superb soldier who fought hard in the battle field, and also fought hard to keep her secret a secret. She once got shot in the thigh right below her groin. She had to take the bullet out herself so doctors could take care of her …show more content…
A major role that women played during the war was nursing; however finding women who were nurses was a hard to find because they were constantly exposed to diseases and fevers. Being a nurse was a hard task at this time. The women had to keep patients and hospitals cleaned, empty bed pans, and change linens. Not only were the women helpful nurses they would sew the soldiers torn clothes so that they had full clothing and also cooked for their men. Women were not forced to do this job or any other job offered to them during the war but many saw loved ones and friends in need and felt obligated to help. A woman who is remembered for being extremely helpful and influential during this time period is Lucy Flucker Knox. Lucy was known for being a very generous woman who would often aid the sick and dying soldiers, feed them, and give them a safe place to stay. Another influential woman during this time period was Esther DeBerdt Reed. She displayed a lot of patriotism and showed it by establishing “The Ladies of Philadelphia.” This organization itself raised $300,000 for the military. George Washington was extremely grateful for what the ladies had done and spent the money on clothing and food for his
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