Women's Role In The French Revolution

In late 18th century France, with the changing social realities challenging the old order of life, and Enlightenment ethics of equality and freedom flourishing, government officials demanded a crucial change in politics and governments. Meanwhile, state debt soared as the war of dominance of the atlantic economy ended, furthering a call to reform for the society. With all these internal and external turmoil occurring, the French called for a reform(after being influenced by the American Revolution as well) known as the French Revolution. This era established a new constitutional monarchy, where equality and freedom for the individual increased in all areas. Also, women had a new place in society where the obtained greater equality among
Due to this, women participated and influenced the French Revolution by advocating for increased women's rights through popular feminists movements, however, women were also perceived as corrupted influences in
Olympe de Gouge, a political activist for women's rights, had a large influence by writing the Declaration of the Rights of Women and the Female Citizen. In article 13 of Declaration of the Rights of Women and the Female Citizen, Olympe de Gouge states that women share all the duties and all painful tasks as men do, and therefore should hold the same status in society by being able to contribute in positions, employment, offices, honors, and jobs. This shows how De Grouge was involved in the FR because she advocated for women's rights to be equal to men, due to the fact that women at this time contribute to society on a larger scale with being involved in the same or even more duties as men, and should have positions in politics as well. In addition, Olympe de Gouge advocates for women's rights in her famous book. De Grouge created a social contract of marriage for both husband and wife, stating that both of them are equal in marriage with property and also proposing for legally enforced child support for both. This shows how women participated in the FR because Olympe de Gouge defends women's rights in marriage to be equal in all perspectives, as well as property, and implements child support on both husband and wife when a illegitimate baby is born for example. Furthermore, Mary Wollstonecraft advocates for