The Development of Domestic Ideology Middle-Class Women and the Market Revolution

The Advent of Jacksonian Democracy  Jackson Frontier Hero  Expansion of Democracy  Fearful of Combining Economic, Political Power

Big Issue: Bank of the United States  Whigs: Provides Loans, Stability to Help Nation Grow  Democrats: Monster Bank that Concentrates Too Much Power

The Development of Domestic Ideology Middle-Class Women and the Market Revolution

Can People Who Have No Vote and No Property Influence Politics? A.Yes. B. No.

BEFORE Domestic Ideology: Household Family Economy

Characteristics of Household Family Economy  No division between home and work  Patriarchal (men controlled household, including children)  Women considered inferior to men in all respects

Around 1750, Attitudes Slowly Began to Change  Influence of Enlightenment (Equality)

Around 1750, Attitudes Slowly Began to Change  Influence of Enlightenment (Equality)  Role of Women in Revolutionary War

Around 1750, Attitudes Slowly Began to Change  Influence of Enlightenment (Equality)  Role of Women in Revolutionary War  Falling Birthrates in Settled Areas

Domestic Ideology and Character of Men, Women  Competitive, Ambitious  Analytical  Corruptible  Sphere: Economy and Politics (Public World)  Cooperative, Self- Sacrificing  Sentimental  Pious, Disinterested  Sphere: The Home (Private World) MENWOMEN

Depicting Differences between Men and Women

Sentimentality & Domestic Ideology

Market Revolution Solidified Domestic Ideology  Division of labor changed; men worked outside of home  Domestic ideology made economic change less frightening!

Republicanism, Virtue, and Domestic Ideology

Domestic Ideology Helped Calm Fears about “Virtue”  Women could act as a moral counterweight to men.  Women could educate children about proper republican virtues.

Domestic Ideology Limited Political and Economic Opportunities for Women  Women could NOT participate in politics (no right to vote).  Married women could not hold jobs.

Which of the Following is True about Domestic Ideology?  A. Glorified Women’s Work in the Home  B. Devalued Women’s Work in the Home  C. Both A and B (I haven’t done the reading and I’m hoping this is a trick question).

Under Separate Spheres, Women Could not Work  A. Yes-- the whole idea is that women are excluded from public life.  B. No—this is to easy and must be another trick question.

Some Advantages for Women in Domestic Ideology  Control of the Household

Some Advantages for Women in Domestic Ideology  Control of the Household  Expanded Educational Opportunities

Some Advantages for Women in Domestic Ideology  Control of the Household  Expanded Educational Opportunities  Interaction with Other Women: “Bonds of Womanhood”

Did Domestic Ideology Describe Reality for Most Women? A.Yes, of course—it was the dominant middle-class way of thinking. B.No—Most women were not middle class.

Did Domestic Ideology Describe Reality for Most Women?

Women Excluded from Domestic Ideology Northeast: Farm Families, Poor Women, and Immigrants South: Most White Women and All Slave Women West: Most Rural Women

Yet Domestic Ideology Still Very Important!  White Middle Class Grew Rapidly; Powerful in Politics, Economy  Domestic Ideology Dominated Culture and Literature  “Outsiders” Sometimes Sought Respectability through Domestic Ideology