Dbq+4

To say women did not play a large role in society previous to 1815 would be simply incorrect. However, women did not play a large role in public affairs, not because they didn't want to, but because they where prohibited to. Woman's roles in the workplace, the family, and society dramatically changed in between 1815 and 1860. In the woman's home prior to the time period in between 1815-160, women where to say home and raise the children. During this time people started to get the notion that if women where pure enough to teach their children they where pure enough to teach others. This and the industrialization gave women more and more opportunities to work outside the home until they married. Young girls commonly went to work at mills such as the Lowell Mill. However the women upon marriage usually gave up their jobs to resume the rolls of being a good wife. Girls in the mills where given more freedom in their work place. Famous Reformist such as Dorthea Dix and suffragettes such as Susan B. Anthony wanted to see changes in society. By them raising their voices against what they saw as the evils of society showed how they where gaining stride in becoming more important and independent. Also, in the case of Dorthea Dix who wanted to see the mentally insane treated with dignity and respect. This showed that women where applying the idea of the cult of domesticity and republican motherhood to not only benefit society but prove their importance in it. Not only where women trying to help society with their new found voice, they where planning their social lives. In the case of Mrs. M, who went to see Charles G. Finney. Afterwards she started to proclaim her convictions (Document A). Women also became more defiant in restrictions in what was socially acceptable. They started wearing bloomers so they could wear shorter skirts and dresses (Document E.)