After the passage of the Townshend Acts of 1767, women increased their involvement and fostered an invigorated patriotism with the full support of the colonial leaders in the Non-Importation and Non-Consumption Agreements that were put into place.
With this newfound patriotism and freedom to act, colonial women also took it upon themselves to shame those who refused to participate. “Instead of being the targets of crowds, they actively participated in them. They marched in ritual processions, harassed female loyalists, and, during the war, seized essential supplies from merchants whom they believed to be monopolistic hoarders” (Norton, 157).
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As a consequence of the passage of the Townshend Acts, protesters met throughout the colony to draw up non-importation and non-consumption agreements. Women were noticeably present at these meetings and were in full support--although, once again, their life would become increasingly difficult. They would forgo the items once easily imported from Great Britain in favor of homemade goods of their own making. This would add again to their already full workload.
One such meeting occurred at Fanueil Hall on October 28, 1767. Here the new tax was discussed and plans were drawn. Patriots enumerated items that were to be boycotted and over 650 colonists signed the subscription agreement. The signers included many famous patriots such as Paul Revere and John Wheatly. However, more importantly, it contained the signatures of many women--including some who could only sign with an "X" to signify their mark, as political activists on the same stage as the men. Women had never signed an official document in the colonial public sphere before this time.
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Read through the Faneuil Hall Agreement below. List items that would be difficult to live without and those that are a luxury. What types of things would they use as a replacement for the boycotted items?
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Image Courtesy of Harvard University
Women also wrote poems for the broadsides seeking to further their cause and chide the men for not doing enough. Hannah Griffitts wrote a poem called “The Female Patriots” in 1768. In it, she describes items all colonists should boycott and boldly goads the men into taking action as well.
In the poem below, list some words or phrases which are used to cajole the men into action. What are some items that are used as substitutes of the boycotted items?
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The Female Patriots |
"Address to the Ladies,” written by Anne Hulton, was another poem which strongly encouraged women to "throw aside [their] high top knots of pride" and do all they could to support the boycotts. It boldly suggests that women will be more charming and attractive to the men if they give up the niceties of British imports.
How does the author describe the highest of fashion for the Patriot women?