Ari Anderson

American Civilizations 1700

Professor Hoskisson
December 1, 2014
Reflection Assignment
I really enjoyed taking Professor Hoskissons American Civilizations course. Hoskisson was by far
one of the most entertaining professors Ive had, and her passion for history is apparent. Admittedly, I
have never been one to show an excessive interest in history, but through this course my interest has
only grown. History is far from the boring reputation it often receives. I have been asked to choose an
event that stood out to me from the Give Me Liberty textbook, written by Eric Foner. The topic that
resonated with me the most was The Origins of Feminism (356-359). I found this particularly
interesting since feminism is a controversial subject in todays world.
Women have not always had many of the rights that we do today. There was a time when
women werent able to vote, have jobs, or own property. A women was defined by her man. People
expected little from women, other than the basic wife and household duties. A movement for womens
rights began in the 1840s. What sparked this movement? Foner mentions it was participation in
abolitionism. As slaves fought for their general rights and freedom, many women began to realize that
they too deserved more than what was being given to them. Two very important sisters, by the last
name of Grimke, would change history forever. Sarah Grimke published Letters on the Equality of the
Sexes in 1838. Though the Grimke sisters received hatred and criticism for their efforts, soon many
women would be behind them to support their cause.

The Seneca Falls Convention, led by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott, brought
attention to woman suffrage to many people who had never even considered the matter. Although their
efforts didnt go as planned, the women brought to life a hunger for womens rights that hadnt been
previously there. A women named Margaret Fuller is quoted saying women should be able to grow to
live freely and unimpeded. She later published Woman in the Nineteenth Century in 1845. She fought
to show woman that they were more than wives and mothers, and could live among society as men did.
Slavery of sex became known as the comparison between free white women and slaves. Women were
being treated as their husbands slaves, and viewed as unequal.
The dominance of males in the home and in society was slowly but surely changing due to these
womens efforts. I am proud of these women and all that they did to make a better future for myself,
and other women. Without their efforts, I wouldnt be able to have a job, vote, or have many of the
rights I value today. I enjoyed learning more about the origins of feminism, and taking this course.