Republican Motherhood

Republican Motherhood

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

• women refused to be under the tyrannical government of Britain
• wanted to keep memory of why they fought the revolution in the first place
• wanted to teach their children about government
• (DOC C)

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

• pressure
• had more jobs
• could be blamed for the downfall of American society
• (DOC D)

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

• women became important outside of their homes
• had to make social life more elegant by being charming
• (DOC D)
• led to development of women being greater contributors to our society

1. Describe the setting

• on a couch
• art on wall
• mother and two children

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

• The mother is at the center
• she is responsible for the children
• the mother has a greater influence on her children's lives because of republican motherhood
• she is not dressed as much, because that would look more aristocratic

3. What values do her sons exhibit?

• one son is dressed plainly, while the other one is dressed like an aristocrat
• the son who looks more republican-like is pointing at the aristocratic son, which might show superiority or accusation

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

• Her arms seem to be caring for the republican-like son rather than the aristocratic one
• this might show that she is protecting her son from the other one