Founding Mothers

Words: 1308
Pages: 6

Even though the founding fathers are the ones recognized by the majority of the United States population as the men who started America, the founding mothers were the majority of the brains behind the American beginning. Without the mothers, daughters, sisters, and wives of the fathers America knows so well, the nation known and loved today would be very weak, if it existed. They were the brains behind the debates and decisions going on at the Constitutional Congress. Even if the women were not directly related to men making all the decisions for the blossoming nation, they worked hard at the battlefield for the men risking their lives for independence. The young nation seeking independence would not have survived without the help of women …show more content…
Without their work in the political aspect of the new nation before and after the revolution, the men in the Continental Congress might have had different ideas about what the nation needed according to the events occurring outside of the congressional meeting. The wives of many important men, such as Abigail Adams, informed the founding fathers of political news pertaining to them so they could focus on bringing a nation together with a strong central government. Along with the information being given to the members of Congress, many of the women provided their ideas of how the young nation should be governed. For example, (ABIGAIL …show more content…
Although many founding mothers remained at home during the war, some ventured out to enjoy some time with their husbands during the winter encampments. This ensured that they would not distract the men during battle or risk their lives due to enemy fire. Women like Martha Washington and Lucy Knox visited the continental camps during ceasefire so they could help the troops out while also having a sojourn without worrying about their families. These women brought good news and entertainment to the soldiers, as well as food, clothes and blankets to keep them alive. Even during the harsh winter at Valley Forge, the women still traveled to camp, making the men very happy and seem to suffer less. Though they were very different people, Martha Washington and Lucy Knox did very similar things to make sure that the army endured through the winter months. The outgoing and enjoyable Knox brought entertainment to the winter quarters of colonial soldiers. Though very rare in wartime, big celebrations were thrown for the men for inching closer to self-rule. Even at the drab and dreary Valley Forge, the women hosted big gatherings and parties to raise the spirits of discouraged soldiers. In differentiation, the no-nonsense Martha Washington “saw the miserable conditions of the troops” and knew she had to use her resources to assist the soldiers in their