Traditional and Radical Ideals by Antebellum Feminists Essay

Introduction

Antebellum reforms existed through the transcendentalism, temperance and the abolition period. Women during these periods created awareness of inequality in society and argued for measures to stop men domination over women. Women were radical in their approach especially in issues concerning increased role in the public sphere. However, women were comfortable with their household duties. Men who supported abolition ideals would not figure out gender inequality to be detrimental.

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The Radical Approach of Antebellum Feminists

The feminists of the antebellum era were radical, they argued for the equality of men and women, and they likened the women domination by men with slavery. Radical feminists advocated for the expansive role and increased participation of women in the public sphere. It was the role of the women in the antislavery efforts to educate men and fellow women on republican principles. Women of the antebellum era aimed at politicizing the process of agitating for women rights by advancing the antislavery agenda to include women issues (Corbett et al. 371). Most of the women who supported the radical approach towards the end of slavery sought to utilize the same effort in women campaigns (Grimke' 11). They argued for the government support of the abolition efforts and conducted fundraising activities to fund the feminist's activities. The era saw the rise of radical feminists such as Maria Stewart who held public gatherings on women rights. Grimke, one of the radical feminists of the era argued that man had pressing lust for domination and that he channeled the same towards the woman since the time of creation.

The Role of Women in the Abolitionist Movement

The women and abolitionist movements applied the traditional beliefs about women in their agitation for women rights. Feminists argued for the traditional views of women in nurturing children and providing moral support to their families. Despite the radical efforts to end slavery that comprised men domination over women, most of the men who ascribed to the notions of abolition argued for the implementation of gendered roles. They denied women participation in the leadership of abolition movements (Lecture Readings). The denial of women in the movement leadership roles led them to form their societies including the Philadelphia Female Antislavery Society and Boston Female Anti-Slavery Society.

Conclusion

Overall, like other radical feminists, antebellum reformers argued for political action against gender inequality. Education played a significant role in convincing men to support women arguments for creating a society where all individuals are equal. The radical feminists from the north got convinced that women and slave conditions are similar since culturally defined gender roles and the existing institutions support men domination over women. The pace of achieving gender equality was slower to that of attaining the end of slavery due to lack of consensus among the abolitionist where some of them supported an unequal relationship between men and women.

Works Cited

Lecture Readings. Reform and Feminism.

Grimke', Sarah M. Letters on Equality of the Sexes, and the Condition of Women. 1838 pp. 11-12, 23-33, 40-41.

Corbett, Scot, Jansen, Volker & Lund, John. Chapter 13: Antebellum Idealism and Reform Impulses, 1820-1860. U.S History. 2017, pp. 361-368