MOOC WHAW1.1x | 2.7.1 Rebellious Women | God, King, and Power in Colonial America

Summary

The transcript explores the various ways women rebelled against societal, legal, and spiritual constraints in the 17th and 18th centuries. It highlights notable figures like Anne Hutchinson, who defied religious norms, and women accused of witchcraft like Tituba. Other examples include Mary Rowlandson, who documented her captivity by Native Americans, and Hannah Duston, celebrated for her violent escape. Sacagawea's role in the Lewis and Clark expedition and the rise of women-run businesses are also discussed, illustrating how women defied expectations in both visible and subtle ways.

Takeaways

• 📜 The combination of legal, spiritual, and economic constraints led to several women's rebellions in the 17th and 18th centuries.
• 👩‍🦳 Anne Hutchinson, a 17th-century settler, challenged religious norms by preaching her belief in a direct relationship with God, leading to her banishment.
• 🔥 The Antinomianism heresy, which supported unmediated communication with God, was central to Anne Hutchinson's challenge to religious authority.
• 👩‍🔬 Witch trials in late-17th century Massachusetts targeted vulnerable women who violated societal norms, including accusations of witchcraft against widows and outspoken women.
• 🧙‍♀️ Tituba, an enslaved woman from the West Indies, was accused of witchcraft due to her medicinal practices and refusal to stop, leading to her execution.
• ✍️ Mary Rowlandson, captured during King Philip's War, wrote about her captivity as a form of rebellion against the traditional roles expected of women.
• 🗡️ Hannah Duston, after being captured in King William's War, killed her captors and escaped, but received mixed reactions for her violent actions.
• 🗽 Sacagawea, an 18-year-old Native American woman, became a heroine by guiding the Lewis and Clark expedition, challenging gender expectations of her time.
• 👗 Many women rebelled in less visible ways by starting small businesses, managing finances, and living apart from abusive husbands.
• 📚 Women found ways to assert independence through reading, writing under pseudonyms, and engaging in entrepreneurship, suggesting a degree of equality not seen again until the 20th century.

Q & A

What were the main types of constraints faced by women in the 17th and 18th centuries?

Women faced legal, spiritual, and economic constraints, which limited their rights, roles, and autonomy in society.

Who was Anne Hutchinson and why is she significant in the context of women's rebellion?

Anne Hutchinson was an early 17th-century settler who challenged religious and community authorities by preaching that she could communicate directly with God. Her defiance of male authority led to her banishment from the colony.

What was Antinomianism, and why was it considered heretical?

Antinomianism was the belief that individuals could have a direct, unmediated relationship with God, bypassing traditional religious authorities. This idea was considered heretical because it undermined the authority of church leaders.

Why were women like Anne Hutchinson seen as threats to community leaders?

Women like Anne Hutchinson, who claimed spiritual authority, challenged the patriarchal order and undermined the religious and social control exerted by male leaders, like John Winthrop.

How did accusations of witchcraft reflect the vulnerability of certain women in the late-17th century?

Many women accused of witchcraft were vulnerable members of society, such as widows or women who lacked traditional feminine traits like deference. These women often offended their neighbors by speaking out or engaging in unapproved economic activities.

Who was Tituba, and why was she accused of witchcraft?

Tituba was an enslaved woman from the West Indies with medicinal powers. She was accused of witchcraft after her practices failed, leading to suspicion in the community. She was one of the few non-merchant widows executed during the Salem witch trials.

What was significant about Mary Rowlandson's captivity and her writing?

Mary Rowlandson, captured by Native Americans during King Philip's War, wrote about her traumatic experience in captivity. Her account, seen as a rebellious act, shed light on the hardships faced by captives and challenged traditional gender roles.

Why did Hannah Duston become a controversial figure after escaping captivity?

Hannah Duston killed five Native Americans during her escape from captivity and returned with their scalps. While some celebrated her bravery, others, like Cotton Mather, condemned her for killing presumably innocent people.

What role did Sacagawea play in the Lewis and Clark expedition, and why was she seen as a rebel?

Sacagawea was an 18-year-old Native American woman who guided the Lewis and Clark expedition. She was seen as a rebel for helping foreign explorers and displaying qualities like curiosity and leadership, which were not typically associated with women of that era.

In what ways did women rebel in less visible forms during colonial times?

Women rebelled in less visible ways by starting businesses like millinery, selling butter and eggs, keeping earnings for themselves, leaving abusive husbands, reading fiction, and writing under pseudonyms, all of which challenged societal norms.