Women in the West
Woman have played an essential role in the course of U.S. westward expansion. They have gathered and grown food for their families, made clothes for their families, and maintained a dwelling. Moving to the west provided women with many opportunities that were equally shared by men. Single women could own property thanks to the Homestead Act in 1862, and many teachers went out into the west providing schools for those few far out communities. Moving out into the west provided money and a stable job.
With all the African American revolts that had resulted from the admittance of states under the Missouri Compromise, women had began to realize their own unequal position in society. Single women enjoyed the same rights as men but if they were married, some of those rights would be taken away. At that time (18th century), women were not allowed to vote and their education consisted of reading, writing, music, dancing, and needlework. By the 1840s, a group of American women forged the first women's rights movement. They protested for equality with men before the law, the right to vote, and equal opportunities in education and employment. Women had transformed the nation through westward movement by gaining equality and equal rights for themselves and their future generations.
With all the African American revolts that had resulted from the admittance of states under the Missouri Compromise, women had began to realize their own unequal position in society. Single women enjoyed the same rights as men but if they were married, some of those rights would be taken away. At that time (18th century), women were not allowed to vote and their education consisted of reading, writing, music, dancing, and needlework. By the 1840s, a group of American women forged the first women's rights movement. They protested for equality with men before the law, the right to vote, and equal opportunities in education and employment. Women had transformed the nation through westward movement by gaining equality and equal rights for themselves and their future generations.