Religion in colonial America - Essay Example

Religion in colonial America One of the key reasons for everyone coming to Colonial America was to practice religion freely and according to one’s own preferences and choices. Religion was a free choice for a woman following Protestant religious ideology; however, it was increasingly becoming necessary to follow the strict religious practices. Since responsibility to take care of home was on my shoulders as a woman, I had to ensure that I followed religious teachings in bringing up children, dealing with family members and giving preferences to others, while, at the same time, adapting the role of caring for others. Boston as a town was small but flourishing and was considered as having the air which resembled with London. It was like many people coming from London felt themselves at home, considering the overall weather and other conditions in the town. With open streets and good roads, Boston as a city was good experience to live even if you were living alone. City had something to offer to everyone, and cultural exchange among people makes the city more adorable and multi-cultural in nature to accommodate everyone. People were polite and hospitable to the strangers and helped them to adjust easily and quickly in the city.( Canada, 2001) The era before the revolution in Boston was typically dominated by Puritans, which gave women a relatively inferior status to men. The typical work offered to women was based upon strong segregation wherein women were given roles either in dairy farming or home manufacturing. Most of the work done was based upon house related work, and for a woman it was more of a case to continue to be dominated by male oriented way of living. Older women tended to mingle a lot socially with each other, however, younger women of my age were mostly restricted to homes doing the household work. The religious authorities outlined that Protestants considered every person equal and that each person had the right to the property and defend it.( Brewer, Jaques, Jones, & King, 2004). This new and unique interpretation of religion had allowed women to own property and even protect it. The equality of each human being gave a new sense of identity to women in Boston and many women actually started their own businesses besides taking care of their own families.( Williams, 1744). Women were also actively involved in the caring of sick during the epidemic of small pox. Special assembly prayers were held for sick as at one time almost 100 people felt sick every day. This was considered as four times more lethal than the plague, though the city had faced the wrath of fire also. Women along with men however, actively engaged themselves into removing the ruins as well as re-building of the city. (National humanities Center, 2013). While life before revolutionary war was based upon living a typical life where woman was required to focus on the household work, the life during the war was a bit difficult. Those whose husbands had gone to war were made responsible for taking care of their families, while at the same time doing tasks which were mainly male-oriented. Apart from working and caring of the children and elderly, women were active in playing their part n society. It is critical to note however, that women, especially in Boston were subjected to laws which prevented inter-racial marriages. Black women were especially not allowed to marry with the white males and vice versa. These laws actually restricted the freedom and movement of women in choosing their own relationships. This also prevented a widow like me to actually look for re-marriage and enter the new relationships based upon mutual understanding and respect for others. Those who were single or widowed like me tended to perform duties in war besides working as spies. Women who were young and physically fit were encouraged to take part in the revolution and contribute towards making things happen. The era before revolution actually helped Boston women to have an improved political understanding of the events and how they could contribute towards the achievement of a collective goal of gaining freedom for their new country.( Brooks, 2013). Women also played an important role of transmitting and propagating a new culture - the culture which was focused upon fighting against Britain and providing necessary emotional support to male members of the society to fight against injustices. More importantly, women of my age were actively engaged in cultural discussions surrounding around how the nation can actually fight against the Britain. What is critical to note also that the society was truly a multi-cultural in nature with Whites coming from Ireland, Scotland, England and Germany? Besides, different religions were being practiced which made it truly a magical experience for women to live in an era. The mixture of the different cultures as well as traditions made the experience diverse but it was still local in its true orientation. During the war and even after it, women were actively engaged in social circles which were diverse in nature but were all connected through their local heritage and roots.( Osborn, 1837). Period around the declaration of independence saw an active involvement of women in the political affairs also. Some women were offering good advice to their husbands regarding what political decisions to make and even contributed as signatories to different documents expressing a strong desire to be separated from Britain. (Ireland, 2013). The Boston massacre was specially a significant event as it directly affected the families living in Boston area. The skirmishes between the soldiers and boys left many women to take care of their sons and avoid them being exposed during the massacre. (Boston Gazette & Country Journal , 1770). Era after the revolution also witnessed a new understanding of the issues of equality and liberty for women. New voices started to emerge where women specifically asked for more liberty and freedom besides asking for not to be restricted to the household chores only. It was mostly a calm period with people visiting each other’s homes and socializing. (Fuller, 1790). References Brewer, L., Jaques, H., Jones, R., & King, J. (2004, July 3). Religion in colonial America. Retrieved from http://www.uncp.edu/home/canada/work/allam/16071783/religion.htm Boston Gazette and Country Journal. (1770, March 12). The Boston massacre. The Boston Gazette and Country Journal. Retrieved from http://www.constitution.org/primarysources/boston Brooks, R. B. (2013). The roles of women in the revolutionary war. Retrieved from http://historyofmassachusetts.org/the-roles-of-women-in-the-revolutionary-war/ Canada, M. (2001, September 24). Colonial America, 1607-1783: History and culture. Retrieved from http://www.uncp.edu/home/canada/work/allam/16071783/ Fuller, E. (1790-1791). “i wove to-day”: Elizabeth fuller grows up in rural Massachusetts. Retrieved from http://historymatters.gmu.edu/d/5824 Ireland, C. (2013, July 16). Revolutionary discovery. Harvard Gazette. Retrieved from http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2013/07/revolutionary-discovery/ Osborn, S. (1837). Sarah Osborn recollects her experiences in the revolutionary war, 1837. Retrieved from http://historymatters.gmu.edu/d/5833 Williams, E. (1744). The essential rights and liberties of protestants: A seasonable plea for the liberty of conscience, and the right of private judgment, in matters of religion, without any control from human authority. Retrieved from http://www.constitution.org/primarysources/elishaw.html National humanities Center. (2013). Descriptions of eighteenth-century Boston before the Revolution. Retrieved from http://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/pds/becomingamer/growth/text2 Read More