Republican Motherhood

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

• The Revolutionary War elevated the enthusiasm for independence, patriotism, and republicanism. It was the responsibility of the mother to instill these values into her sons and their "young, inquiring minds." Being the "nurse and educator" of the future by passing on these values to her sons was the way "she can best serve her country, by training up good citizens" (Document A). 

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

• Because women were needed to instill republican ideals into her sons, some believed women needed an education to accomplish this duty. Women should be qualified to instruct their sons the principles of liberty and government, and to do this, they need a knowledge of English, how to write it, a knowledge of math, and a knowledge of history (Document B). 

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

• The Republican Motherhood gave women a cherished role in society. The destiny of America, according to Jonathan F. Stearns, "depends in most important degree" on women (Document D). Furthermore, Mary Morris wrote to Catharine Livingston that "the reformation of a world [was] in [their] power (Document C). Women were given a higher regard in society and were more highly respected. 

Mary Gibson Tilghman and her sons, Charles Willson Peale (1789)

1. Describe the setting.

• The setting shows a young woman sitting on a pink sofa with her two young sons. It is quaint, and there is a strong bond between mother and her children. 

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

• Mary Gibson Tilghman serves as the center of the portrait, as she is the mother. Her more plain dress shows and lack of Old-world aristocratic excessiveness indicates she is republican, and representing the new and important role mothers had on passing on republican ideals to their sons. 

3. What values do her sons exhibit?

• The sons appear to be fond of their mother, symbolically representing the growing importance of women in society and family life, thanks to the Republican motherhood.

4. Is their a significance to the position of Mrs. Tilghman's arm?

• Her arm, placed over the lap of one of her sons, shows the power and influence she now holds over her sons. It represents her new responsibility to instill republican values into the minds of her sons.