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THE MAYFLOWER SETTLERS TO THE DAUGHTER OF THE REVOLUTION AND HOW THEY SHAPED THE WORLD

Maureen

THE MAYFLOWER SETTLERS TO THE DAUGHTER OF THE REVOLUTION AND HOW THEY SHAPED THE WORLD

The freedoms and rights that women enjoy around the world can be traced back to significant struggles in the past. In the US, the revolution period invited significant passive and active action from women. The decision to board the Mayflower signified the commencement of the journey towards more freedom. The formation of the Daughters of American Revolution (DAR) was instrumental in bringing together women for a cause that would affect American women’s future freedoms and rights. The efforts that women put into the American Revolution were barely recognized. However, they resulted in significant empowerment for women by reducing the gender gap, especially in politics. The journey towards achieving gender parity in governance is still progressive in the US. The Daughters of the American Revolution and the Mayflower Pilgrims uphold significant history regarding the current rights and freedoms that women enjoy today.

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Mayflower Pilgrims

 In 1620, at least 100 passengers boarded the Mayflower[1]. The passengers were on the ship for different reasons. At least a third of these passengers were Separatists. The Separatists sought to gain freedom from the Church of England. The persecution and pursuance by the Crown and the church pushed the Separatists to seek religious freedom. The other passengers traveled for different reasons, including adventure and the hope for a better opportunity. Regardless of their different reasons for travel, all passengers sought to experience the New World[2].

The Americas promised the pilgrims a New World opportunity because some of their circumstances were unfavorable. Despite the need for religious freedom, the flexibility of regulations was also sought. In England, all the citizens were required to be a part of the Church of England. The Netherlands became more attractive because the laws were more flexible. After some years, the pilgrims were more concerned about the potential loss of their cultural heritage. Thus, they embraced the Mayflower Pilgrim as an opportunity to set up a new life[3].

Mayflower, the ship, used to ferry goods, including wine. However, the pilgrims of 1620 made the ship more famous. Leaving the port in September of 1620 introduced significant weather-based challenges. The time exposed the voyage to intense storms. The seas were rough and exposed the pilgrims to significant uncertainty. The passengers got seasick, and the younger ones had significant challenges enduring winter while on board. As a result, most passengers did not survive the two-month-long voyage[4].

After two months of significant hardship, the passengers got to land. They founded the Plymouth Colony. While the ship was intended to land in Virginia, the rough seas drifted its course northwards. Cape Cod was the first destination that the ship landed. As their supplies were reduced significantly, the passengers decided to remain in Cape Cod as they waited for the harsh seas to subside. John Smith, who was a famous sailor, named the first destination Plymouth, the name that denoted the port from which they departed in England[5].

Life in Plymouth

The passengers who boarded the Mayflower arrived in Plymouth in November. The winter season had begun already. The challenge of finding shelter led to significant illnesses among the pilgrims. Unfortunately, only half of the pilgrims managed to get through the first winter in Massachusetts. The remaining pilgrims began farming, hunting, and establishing the colony during spring. Squanto, one of the members of the Pawtuxet tribe, was helpful to the pilgrims. Squanto served as a translator, teacher, and guide. The information that was provided led to the successful establishment of the colony. One of the most notable celebrations the pilgrims marked was Thanksgiving, which created a culture that remains to date. The first celebration acknowledged the colony’s successful harvest and stayed in Plymouth[6].

The pilgrims had to negotiate with the residents for peace treaties. Their engagement in economic activities such as hunting, trading, and farming enabled the colony to achieve self-sufficiency. Life was still challenging for the pilgrims in various ways. The pilgrims encountered other individuals who were also seeking religious freedom. Other groups were less tolerant of the different religious beliefs. As a result, violence erupted in these colonies as tension and religious persecution occurred. The complex interactions with the native American tribes led to violence as well. The colony’s expansion catalyzed the violence. King Philip’s War was the first Indian turmoil that was instigated by the need to discourage additional settlement by the Englishmen. Those who opposed the pilgrims or sided with them faced devastating results. Regardless of these hardships, the colony flourished. Additional ships brought in more residents to the colony[7].

The Mayflower Compact

The Mayflower Compact was believed to have been composed by William Brewster. He was one of the most educated pilgrims. When the pilgrims arrived at Plymouth, they were completely cut off from any government. They had to create a colony that could ensure they survived in their new environment with some governance. The rules were expected to function as a compact among the pilgrims. Almost all the male colonists signed the Compact. The Compact clearly stated the freedom that each church member yielded in choosing their preferred mode of worship. The church members were also free to elect their ministers and church officers. While signing the Compact, the pilgrims did not intend to declare themselves independent. Instead, they termed themselves as King James’ loyal subjects. Their main interest was to ensure that the pilgrims passed equal laws that would facilitate proper governance of the colony[8].

Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)

 The Daughters of the American Revolution is composed of female citizens who can trace back their family members to the period when America underwent a revolution and found one of their ancestors, male or female, who served this cause. In the 19th century, DAR was formed at the national level. The patriotic desire among citizens instigated this formation. The group’s leaders were female, and it continued to expand its membership in the country. Daughters of the American Revolution members were largely instrumental during the first and Second World Wars. They donated blood and plasma to the Red Cross and provided a means of transport, mobile units, garments, money, garment bags, surgical dressings, and wartime bonds[9].

Women’s Rights and Freedoms

The political journey that American women have had to go through has been tumultuous. Historically, women lacked sufficient space to practice their political rights. This insufficiency could be attributed to the initial lack of rights. As observed in the Mayflower Settlers’ narrative, women were not given a chance to sign the Mayflower Compact. It was only signed by adult men who boarded the ship[10]. This scenario depicts the political situation of women in the 17th century.

After the signing Mayflower Compact, the first governor that the pilgrims chose was male. John Carver was chosen as the first governor of the Plymouth colony. After Carver’s death, William Bradford was chosen as the second governor. Notably, all leaders of the colony were males. Some, such as Bradford, were re-elected to the position at least 30 times. While the governance of the colony was based on democracy, it was significantly characterized by a gender gap[11].

This situation continued to manifest in the later centuries when women were not allowed to vote. Prior to the American Revolution, women were not perceived as significant political beings. The “coverture” common law denied married women any independent civic participation. The husband was considered the wife’s representative. While women, both black and white, were their husband’s property, they still maintained an interest in the political occurrences that took place. Their political involvement was evident during the American Revolution. Women exhibited significant political awareness even before they were constitutionally allowed to provide their political opinions[12].

The political rhetoric that was observed in women’s lives was significant. On the one hand, some decided to pursue their own happiness by deviating from their abusive marital partners. This was perceived as a sort of declaration of independence. On the other hand, other women decided to take control of their reproductive capabilities. This step allowed them to determine the number of children they decided to have. The white girls who came from middle-class families attended school, which gave them the opportunity to assert their political abilities. The educated females in the society, who were mostly white and belonged to the Church of England, wrote articles and published them as well. In addition, salons were also hosted by elite females to discuss political issues[13].

As the debate for the revolution continued among both genders, women had an opportunity to provide tangible support to the male political groups. The political decisions or opinions were split as some opposed the upcoming groups in favor of King James. They feared that disloyalty would lead to significant chaos. The shift in political participation, especially for women, was gradual yet notable. The women signed non-consumption agreements in different colonies in the 1770s. The women in North Carolina claimed to make these commitments for the public good[14]. These assertions sought to communicate that they understood and cared for the political occurrences and the implications of the debates.

The gradual involvement became more apparent when single women began to act with greater force. In Philadelphia, at least five single women signed the non-importation agreement in 1765. This move was a show of their opposition to the Stamp Act. The women were regarded as single owners of the property. Thus, they could act legally and politically because they belonged to the mercantile community. Few of these single women already had significant political authority. As “freemen”, they could take part in the election of council members, lobby the legislators, sign petitions, and make political decisions like their male counterparts[15].

Moreover, when the war began, the gender differences became clearer as men took their positions on the battlefield. Ownership of rights as a citizen was a responsibility that was accompanied by certain duties. The Republican ideology stipulated that patriotism could only be proven by a willingness to give up one’s life. Based on this skewed perspective, women could not claim citizenship because they had no place in the war. However, the sacrifices they made through their different associations, such as the Daughters of America Revolution, were significant. Besides, when the men went to war, the women had to fend for their families. They also lost the male figures in their lives to war. These opportunities were significantly challenging but gave the women an opportunity to manage the affairs that men traditionally undertook.

While the white women struggled to manage their homes, which included the servants and enslaved people, the black women fled their masters’ homes and their own homes in search of freedom and independence. They fled to other colonies in Canada and America, where they could freely interact with other black people. For instance, Phillis Wheatley utilized language to question the practice of slavery. The enslaved Black person who hailed from Massachusetts wrote and published poems. The women also assumed masculine roles in the war. They acted as spies and nurses, provided financial aid, and cooked for the soldiers. These efforts were largely unrecognized despite their impact on the revolution of America[16].

Worth noting is that The Daughters of America Revolution created an opportunity for women to assume active roles in the political arena. DAR was led and founded by women. Their participation echoed their roles in the revolution process. They provided a platform for women to voice their political opinions. As a result, this revolution created a foundation for women to launch their political careers. The rights that American women enjoy as regards expressing their political opinions and choices through the ballot were nurtured by intense contributions from the women who took part in the revolution[17]. Women were vocal about their need to attain representation because they paid taxes to the government. During the 18th and 19th centuries, women experienced significant changes as they could vote and even occupy political positions. In 1869, Julia C. Addington became the first woman to occupy a position in public office as a school superintendent in Iowa. In 1887, Susanna Madora Salter occupied her first political position as a mayor. Salter’s name was added to the ballot humorously, only to result in an unprecedented win. In the later years till today, there were numerous firsts for women in the political arena. Women gained significant freedom. The 19th Amendment of the Constitution granted women an official right to vote in 1920[18].

Present-Day America

The rights and freedoms of women in America have evolved since the colonial days. The gender bias displayed in the past centuries, especially in the political arena, has reduced significantly. However, it is not completely eradicated. Notably, the number of women in American politics has increased in number significantly. However, the country is ranked 75th among 193 countries in terms of women’s participation in politics. Therefore, this confirms that the country still has more to do in terms of advocacy and women’s representation. By 2018, 102 women were serving in the House of Congress. Still, this is less than 25 percent of the senate’s representation. This representation of women in the government does not meet the global average, which is 24.1 percent[19]. In addition, gender bias continues to exist today in societies, including American society. It hinders the political, economic, and educational development of females. For every dollar that a man earns, women make 78 cents. For black women, the rate is as low as 64 cents and 54 cents for Latinas[20].

The goal of increasing women’s representation and participation in leadership in political and public life is international. According to the United Nations, it is important in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Based on current data, the underrepresentation of women is still a concern[21]. Countries with significant rates of female representation in government have dedicated strategies towards improving the same. Remarkably, Rwanda is the leading country, with at least 61.4 percent of parliament seats occupied by women. Among Western democracies, France leads with 39.6 percent, Britain comes in second at 32 percent, and Germany at 0.7 percent. Countries have created laws that are intended to address underrepresentation. The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance states that most countries have gender quotas that enable them to increase female representation[22].

America lacks such quotas. However, an increase in female representation is witnessed whenever a solid strategy is outlined. Fundraising has been primarily used as the main strategy in the US. The country has also relied heavily on identifying and training women for office, which appears to be a more deliberate move to ensure that female legislators are fit for the job. However, the country still needs to commit more deliberate actions and strategies toward improving female representation.

The current underrepresentation in the US needs to be addressed rapidly because it is a complete misrepresentation of the struggles that women experienced when seeking the country’s revolution. The country’s population entails 51 percent females, and the rest are males. However, women occupy only 27 percent of Congress, 24 percent of the country’s senate, 27 percent of House Representatives, 30 percent of elected executives around the state, 31 percent of state legislators, 31 percent of mayors in large cities, 25 percent of mayors in cities with more than 30,000 residents, and 0 percent of residents[23]. The last aspect of this statement may change in the future as more male candidates appreciate the input that women can have on the country’s governance. The current American vice president, Kamala Harris, is the first to occupy such a high position in the US government. This shows significant confidence in female leadership and a willingness to involve the female leaders alongside the males. With such a population, it is only practical if the country achieves the global average in terms of gender parity. The most notable aspect is that women still have the liberty to vote and can occupy elective positions without the intense discrimination exhibited in the past.

Conclusion

The Daughters of the American Revolution and the Mayflower Pilgrims uphold significant history regarding the current rights and freedoms that women enjoy today. Their struggles during the revolutionary period created a path and foundation for the current role and participation that women play in the country’s governance. The women who boarded the Mayflower did not enjoy any rights and freedoms. Leadership was a preserve of the males. However, women assumed both passive and active roles in the 19th century. By the time America was completely independent, women’s role in the revolution period could no longer be ignored. Their gradual involvement in various passive activities during the war gave women the courage to actively participate in politics. Their ability to voice opinions on political issues eliminated the assumption that they should be treated as property. These activities progressively led to the 19th Amendment of the Constitution in 1920, which allowed women to vote. This constitutional right changed the political landscape as more women occupied positions at the various levels of government. The representation of women in the government is still low in the US compared to countries that are more deliberate about reducing underrepresentation using quotas. The need to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 is vital in ensuring that countries such as the US pursue underrepresentation more actively. Today, women in the US can vie for not only elective posts but also partner with their male counterparts and occupy various public offices. This is the case with the current vice president, Kamala Harris, who works with President Joe Biden. This current occupation of the vice president’s position by a female indicates that the citizens are changing their mindset and embracing the role that women can play in leadership. While the gender gap is still present, it is necessary to acknowledge the progress that has been made toward reducing the underrepresentation of women in the US political arena.

Bibliography

American Civil Liberties Union. 2022. Women’s Rights. https://www.aclu.org/issues/womens-rights.

Ensign, Alison. 2020. The Pilgrims and the Mayflower—History and Facts.

Maryville University. 2022. Notable Women in American Politics: Achievements, Evolution, and Impact.

Mayflower Destinations. 2020. The tragic story of the Mayflower siblings sent to America to start a new life.

Newburger, Emma. 2019. “Despite gains, the US ranks 75th globally in women’s representation in government.” CNBC.

Represent Women. 2022. By the Numbers. https://www.representwomen.org/current-women-representation#us_overview.

Skemp, Sheila L. 2016. Women and Politics in the Era of the American Revolution. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780199329175.013.216.

Templeton, Lee Plummer. 2006. Daughters of the American Revolution.

The Mayflower Society. 2022. The Mayflower Compact. https://themayflowersociety.org/history/the-mayflower-compact/.

UN Women. 2021. Facts and figures: Women’s leadership and political participation. https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/leadership-and-political-participation/facts-and-figures.

ushistory.org. 2022. The Mayflower and Plymouth Colony. www.ushistory.org/us/3a.asp.

  1. ushistory.org. 2022. The Mayflower and Plymouth Colony. www.ushistory.org/us/3a.asp.
  2. Ensign Alison. 2020. The Pilgrims and the Mayflower—History and Facts.
  3. Mayflower Destinations. 2020. Tragic story of the Mayflower siblings sent to America to start a new life.
  4. ushistory.org. 2022. The Mayflower and Plymouth Colony. www.ushistory.org/us/3a.asp.
  5. Ensign Alison. 2020. The Pilgrims and the Mayflower—History and Facts.
  6. Ensign Alison. 2020. The Pilgrims and the Mayflower—History and Facts.
  7. Alison.
  8. The Mayflower Society. 2022. The Mayflower Compact. https://themayflowersociety.org/history/the-mayflower-compact/.
  9. Templeton, Lee Plummer. 2006. Daughters of the American Revolution.
  10. The Mayflower Society. 2022. The Mayflower Compact. https://themayflowersociety.org/history/the-mayflower-compact/.
  11. The Mayflower Society.
  12. Skemp Sheila L. 2016. Women and Politics in the Era of the American Revolution. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780199329175.013.216.
  13. Sheila L.
  14. Sheila L.
  15. Skemp, Sheila L. 2016. Women and Politics in the Era of the American Revolution. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780199329175.013.216.
  16. Sheila L.
  17. Templeton Lee Plummer. 2006. Daughters of the American Revolution.
  18. Maryville University. 2022. Notable Women in American Politics: Achievements, Evolution, and Impact.
  19. Newburger Emma. 2019. “Despite gains, the US ranks 75th globally in women’s representation in government.” CNBC.
  20. American Civil Liberties Union . 2022. Women’s Rights. https://www.aclu.org/issues/womens-rights.
  21. UN Women. 2021. Facts and figures: Women’s leadership and political participation. https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/leadership-and-political-participation/facts-and-figures.
  22. Newburger, Emma. 2019. “Despite gains, the US ranks 75th globally in women’s representation in government.” CNBC.
  23. Represent Women. 2022. By the Numbers. https://www.representwomen.org/current-women-representation#us_overview.

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    Question 

  24. EVOLUTION OF THE FEMME: FROM WITCH TO MADAME VICE-PRESIDENT
    Throughout the course we have engaged in a variety of discourses that explore what it means to be a woman/femme and how this has been conditioned by a series of historical events that have solidified the position of women in contemporary society. We have connected a series of events and attitudes in our attempt to understand the role of the Church during the period of primitive accumulation (foundations of capitalism) and its continued influence on social attitudes toward women. For this final project, you will consider the major themes of the course in relation to your topic of choice.

    THE MAYFLOWER SETTLERS TO THE DAUGHTER OF THE REVOLUTION AND HOW THEY SHAPED THE WORLD

    Instructions for the content of the paper:
    Step 1: Choose a Learning Outcome to use as your lens in your analysis and research
    • The practical applications of said terms in distinct religious, socio-cultural, socio-political and artistic discourse and become familiar with other terms that intersect in these discussions including decolonization, identity consciousness and formation, and embodiment.
    • The implications of terms (like witch, bruja) and related concepts, and their nuances in intercultural understanding, identity consciousness and performance, and what this means for its socio-political implications.
    You can choose to present your research in relation to the social applications of the topics learned in the course, or in relation to the performativity of the term “bruja” or “witch.” Basically, you are choosing your entry point into the conversation around your findings and the one you choose will serve to frame our “case study.”
    Step 2: Consider the Major Themes of the course and choose two to three that coincide with your chosen topic
    You will identify the themes you feel are already aligned with your topic of choice. You will use these to make sure you are not going off on unnecessary tangents and conducting your analysis in relation to what you have learned in the course. This will allow you to dig back in your notes for pieces of information that you might otherwise forget to include. Use these two to three themes as the parameters of your discourse.
    Major Themes:
    ● Misrepresentation/stigmatization of the feminine
    ● Social and legal justice for women (through history)
    ● The body as space and place
    ● Reproductive rights
    ● Women in Religion
    ● Women’s Rights
    ● Women in politics
    Step 3: Your Research
    You will present your research framed by Step 1 and 2. This is simply two added steps so that instead of writing a traditional research paper, you are engaging with your own lived experiences in the course, while contributing to the discourse on the positioning of women in contemporary society.
    Remember that this course analyzes the root and development of the term “witch” as a means of exploring the historical and systemic oppression of women and stigmatization of the feminine. How does your research expand this conversation? Does it provide a case study that highlights one or more of the Major Themes of the course? Are you focused on the performativity of witch or on the socio-political positioning of women? Remember that we have been discussing all this at the intersection of race, gender, oppression, and agency, so consider what are the intersections of your own research.
    Instructions on the formatting and structure of the paper:
    • Paper will be approximately 1500-1750 words. Please do not exceed 2,000. Remember this is a case study, so you need to get to the point.
    • Make sure you have named which learning outcome you are using as an entry point and which two to three major themes you are engaging with. This is best located in your introductory paragraph.
    • Think about your title. How does it reflect your point of view? How is it positioning your voice in relation to the content of your paper/case study?
    • Make sure you cite your sources properly. I do not care if you use APA, MLA or Chicago, just BE CONSISTENT.
    • Make sure you include some element of self-reflection on how the fly-in helped (or didn’t) to give you insight or clarify your topic.
    • Think of the paper as a well-cited conversation with another expert. How well can you flex your policy-making voice?Womans HistoryResearch the Mayflower setters and see how that community felt with woman rights and freedoms in the new world. Look at how this community helped or hindered the roles, rights, freedoms woman have today.

    Research the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) see how this group of woman helped shaped the US after the American revolution.

    As a Mayflower descendent and my grandmother was in the daughters of the American Revolution.

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