Devastating Experiences Women Faced

          The position of women today is way different than in the 15^th to 19^th centuries. Nowadays, women are able to get jobs that they are longing for, without discrimination on ethnicity, gender, or age. Women are now allowed to perform job like men do. They have positions in the government, in which they could not participate in early centuries. Unlike before, men were getting paid higher than women, but that is not the case anymore. Sometimes, women have higher paying jobs than men. In addition, women have free will to do anything they want. In the 15^th century, women were accused with witchcraft practices. They were executed if proved to be guilty. In worst cases, innocent women were killed if they were thought to be witches. Women in 15^th to 19^th centuries experienced hardships including the accusation and execution of women who were believed to be practicing witchcraft and the discrimination in the workforce getting paid less and, most of the time, unemployed.

            In 15^th century, women in Europe who committed often united sexuality with crimes. The prostitutes, thieves, murderers, and witches practiced trades either directly exercised their own genitalia or deceived men’s desires. They performed witchcrafts as their business.[1] The unlawful acts of women were considered as an achievement because they provide sexual pleasure for men. Some men and women were accused of practicing witchcraft including women doctors, pharmacists, and medical personnel. When doctors cured someone with disease, they were thought of as witches. They also believed that their success in helping the sick was influenced by devils. Their hands of healing were thought to have touched the devil’s external organs and the devil was tied behind her back. Noble, wealthy women underwent an ordeal either by water or burning coals to prove that they were innocents. On the other hand, lower-class women and some men were punished for practicing magic because they believed that this led to witchery. Magicians and witches can see the future by using supernatural instincts. They usually used crystal globes, bowls of water, hand lines, etc. to predict the future. [2]

            Witches were believed to possess foreknowledge that could affect the person causing distress, hardships, and even death.[3] In the 16^th and 17^th centuries, there was a seldom a sustained effort in exterminating witches. There were multiple trials and they occurred in many separate towns. This period was intense in witch hunting.[4] The new obsession about diabolism, a belief in devils, was believed that it was related to developments of theological literature in early 15^th century.[5] During the early 15^th century, there was a fact evidence found that witchcraft was learned. An example of this act was found in the records of interrogations where judges asked suspects if they knew about witchcraft. Many people witnessed a woman who practiced witchcraft in Lucerne. When the woman had an argument with a man, his “cows gave nothing but blood.” Another fact was when a man moved in the community, and planted a garden better that hers; she went on and cursed the plants, and all his crops withered.[6] Both men and women who practiced witchcrafts and believed to be witches really had difficult times during the early 15^th to 16^th centuries. Their involvement in doing such devilish acts had serious punishment, which led to death. This shows that even if one was innocent, he or she was still executed because of other people’s instincts.

            Another important topic during the 16^th to 19^th centuries that historians uncovered was the experiences of women in the workforce. Women were liberated by earning power they got through industrialization. Women’s employment remained significant in sectors such as pottery, cotton, and hosiery and silk, boot and shoe manufacture and dairying work in agriculture. Women were also offered little work during the growth of heavy industries of Victoria England, which included mining, metalworking, shipbuilding, etc. However, starting in the 18^th century, eastern and southern England women’s work have undergone some decline in some areas.[7]  

            Some historians have seen that female employment was diminished because of demographic growth, technology changes, and rural structural changes. However, in the late 19^th century, a boot and shoe trades in Northamptonshire, women were employed in the processes of either shoe closing or finishing. Nevertheless, over a hundred different prices paid to women in respect of the work in which men were involved; for example, rounding the clump soles, ironing studs, stitching foreparts, and cutting materials.[8] During their finishing operations, polishing, filling, and pairing were involved. Their wages were based on the types and equivalent of work they did, but for men they had their own pay rates. This example is an example that labor dealt with gendered work and the experiences of women in their workforce. Women servants who worked in the farms usually received 80 percent of their pay; this varied by region, types of agricultural work, and expectations and their customs. The pay rates also varied by age, marital status, and number of children in the family.[9]

            The study of the wage of women shed light on uncovering the more about gendered wage payments. Women had the lowest pay, their job were less stable and they had unrewarding occupations.[10] Job skilled men were usually rewarded both financially and non-monetary rewards, but not much in women.[11] Unskilled women were offered with low paying job, seasonal, and irregular. Women working in a limited range of occupations, they were usually unemployed to longer periods than men. In industrial jobs, women were dependent upon the wages of the men.[12]  Because men were mostly employed than women, men became “alien” and separated from home and their family. Their ‘home’ was redefined basing on the Victorian literature and art.[13]  The problem in the history of women in the workforce explained the gender division of labor.

            The situation of women in the 16^th to 19^th centuries shows that they are were not treated with respect and equality. Women’s position today had undergone a long process before getting the full freedom and security they longed for. Unlike women before, today women are considered as important in society. Their contribution in their home, economy, and business are acknowledged. Women’s experience in the 16^th to 19^th centuries will always be a hallmark in the history.

 

 

Bibliography

Cosman, Madeleine. Women at Work in Medieval Europe (New York: Facts on File, Inc., 2000).

Federici, Silvia. Caliban and the Witch (New York: Autonomedia, 2004).

Honeyman, Katrina, and Jordan Goodman. “Women’s Work, Gender Conflict, and Labour Markets in Europe, 1500-1900,” The Economic History (1991): 608-609.

Kieckherfer, Richard. European Witch Trials: Their Foundations in Popular and Learned Culture (Routledge Library Edition, 2011).

Lane, Penelope, Neil Raven, and K.D.M Snell. Women, Work and Wages in England, 1600-1850. (New York: The Boydell Press, 2004).

Laurence, “Women in England, 1500-1760: A Social History,”

Renaissance Quarterly (1997): 654-655.

 

[1] Madeleine Pelner Cosman, Women at Work in Medieval Europe (New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2000), 121.

                [2] Richard Kieckhefer, European Witch Trials: Their Foundations in Popular and Learned Culture (Routledge Library Edition, 2011), 125.

                [3] Ibid., 125.

                [4] Silvia Federici, Caliban and the Witch (NY: Autonomedia, 2004), 35.

                [5] Ibid., 40.

                [6] Ibid., 99.

                [7] Penelope Hunt et al., Women, Work and Wages in England, 1600-1850. ( NY: The Boydell Press, 2004), 3.

                [8] Ibid., 4.

                [9] Ibid., 5.

                [10] Katrina Honeyman and Jordan Goodman, “Women’s Work, Gender Conflict, and Labour Markets in Europe, 1500-1900,” The Economic History Review 44, no. 4 (1991): 608.

                [11] Ibid., 609.

[12] Anne Laurence, “Women in England, 1500-1760: A Social History,” Renaissance Quarterly 50, no. 2 (1997): 654.

 

[13] Ibid., 655.

Women in the Workforce During the Great Depression

Sheila Mae Garnace 

History 112

Professor Kaatz

April 18, 2014

The Effect of the Great Depression on Women in the Workforce

(Word Count: 1751)

 

      The Great Depression in 1930 left a hallmark in American history. It was certainly a dramatic event that happened- an era of stock market crashes, bank runs, and currency speculations. The Depression left unemployment from less than three million to four million in 1930; eight million in 1931 and twelve and one-half million in 1932. In 1929, the average income was $2,300, which decreased into $1,500 in 1933.[1] The Great Depression left high unemployment rates, failing banks, and a changing financial market. From 1930 to 1933, women were forced to work because of poor economic conditions, but faced employment discrimination. The passage of the New Deal greatly improved women’s experience in the workplace.

What led to the Great Depression?

      The financial crisis in 1929 occurred when investors were unable to meet margin calls. The increased in stock prices drove investors’ expectation. The number of people buying stocks increased, but people did not have the money to buy stocks so they borrowed money from the banks. Buying in margin came into play; brokers and banks protected themselves and many put in a “call provision.” They loaned a certain percentage that banks and stockholders agreed on. When the stock market value fluctuated, the banks started calling stockholders to put more equity to cover what was owed. As the fallacy of composition principle states, “what works in a part, does not work as a whole.” So in 1929 the bankers had made a call provision to protect themselves and demanded more equity from the stockholders. The stockholders were desperately selling their stocks, which further deflated the market. The mass sell off stocks led to decrease of the stock market value, which then led to great depression in 1930.[2] 

How did the Great Depression affect women?

     While women were employed in sales, clerical, and domestic services as early as 1890s, the Great Depression disproportionately affected men. The composition of family changed over time as they moved through Depression. More than two million women and men faced unemployment and homelessness; they slept in city subways, roads, and vacant lands. In 1929, the stock market crash paralyzed industries dominated by men such as steel, rubber, and chemicals. Most males lost their jobs. They had hard time finding jobs in the market. By 1930s, the unemployment on men was twice or thrice times than women during most of the Depression years.[3] On the other hand, manufacturing businesses, where most women were employed, were not affected as much as the big ones. Women had more wages in teaching, nursing, domestic service, and office work.[4] Although women mostly depended on men-wage earnings before the Depression hit, they were compelled to look for job for the survival of their family.

     Though many women had not worked before, the economic condition forced women to go out and became the breadwinners of the family since their husbands lost their jobs. Women weighed their responsibilities and attitudes of their family and the difficulty of finding work. The decision whether to work or not depended on women.[5] Working lessened the responsibilities of women- wives and mothers- inside their households.[6] Many women- poor, single, immigrant- considered work as necessity.[7] While more women went out to work, discrimination against married women generated.

     During the Depression, the public did not appreciate that more married women were at work. The two reasons why the society discriminated married women were, “they thought women were taking men’s jobs, and they were abandoning their families in a time of extreme need.” [8]  Society perceived that men were threatened that women were taking jobs, but in reality, they mainly worked at manufacturing, domestic service, and clerical work. Another criticism was women were neglecting their responsibilities inside their homes. The criticisms caused the federal government to implement a law that married women were not allowed to work in government jobs in 1930. Public schools, transportation systems, banks and other companies fired and refused to hire married women.[9] Instead of looking at women as an ally that supported the family, they were seen as threat because it diminished the role of men in the family units. These discriminations put against women were shallow because they did not realize that they were going in the workforce not to compete with the men, but to save their family from starvation.

     During 1930, women consisted of more than twenty-five percent of the total labor in the United States; ten million women were working. In the early year of the collapse, they were unable to find sources of income and were mostly discriminated against by public employment (Abelson 106). Most had been unemployed for long months; they used up whatever income they had. Almost forty-three percent of the known unemployment in Washington D.C was women. According to the Milwaukee Journal, sixty percent of the non-family women had been self-supporting in 1929. They came to the attention of relief authorities but it did not mean that they were given welfare.[10]

     African American single women more likely to be in the workforce; they were encouraged to bring money into their homes. This cultural value supported and motivated the black women families to work.[11] Between 1931 and 1934, many were homeless because resources were restricted mostly for women and families with dependent children; therefore homelessness could not be avoided.[12] Historian Frederick Lewis Allen wrote, “One of the three strangest things about Depression is the fact that it was so nearly invisible to the casual eye.” And a woman said, “You could feel it, but you could not look out of the window and see it.”[13] The effect of the Depression was very devastating. Everyone was aware, but they could not bear the situation they experienced. The impact of the Depression greatly affected African-American women in the workforce.

     African-American women, though, suffered worse- underpaid agricultural laborer, and two-third of domestic servants were black. Less than one-tenth of all black wage- earning women worked in the manufacturing of meats, cigars, and textile industries. They were recommended to do well in their work if they want to stay in their jobs.[14] However, they lost their jobs when white women entered the market during the Depression. In 1935, twenty-five percent of black women were receiving government relief payments. Although married women were employed in the 1930s, the wages were low and did not ensure the family’s survival. For women who worked in sewing and production of toys made $5 each week.[15] The Women’s Bureau surveyed five industries and white women made $18 per week at a time. In 1937, the Department of Labor Women’s Bureau found that more than two and one half million were white women still work in the factories and one- third as domestics.[16] However, when the New Deal was created, it enabled women to experience a change in the workforce.

Did the New Deal improve women’s working condition?

     President Roosevelt established the New Deal in 1933. The New Deal partnered with National Recovery Administration, Wagner Act, Works Progress Administration, Social Security Program and Fair Labor Standards. These elements of the New Deal helped and enabled women and men to get jobs to sustain their families. The unemployed women with children were given relief. Through National Recovery Administration (NRA), women were able to work forty hours each week. This drove up the average working female into sixty-three percent. Most women, through Works Progress Administration (WPA), began working at sewing companies and doing office work. Women who had disabled husbands, widows, and singles were given social security payments. It secured women’s rights in labor, “By 1940, 800,000 American women workers were unionized– triple the number in 1930. New Deal programs legitimized women’s collective bargaining efforts, encouraged more women from more industries to unionize, and encouraged traditionally male nationals unions to include women.”[17] NPA and the Wagner Act strengthened women’s roles and helped them get into male-dominated jobs. The New Deal helped raise women’s wages, but a little less than men. It improved working conditions, high level of participation, and overcame discrimination against colored people. After the New Deal was built, the percentage of women in the workforce increased.

    One third of the married women worked- which fifty percent of increase from 1920s. The responsibilities of being a mothers, wives, and daughters decrease because of going into the workforce.[18] More unskilled women worked in the automobile factories and job that traditionally for men like rubber, metal, leather, and glass industries; however, they get a little less pay than what men got. The New Deal opened the door to employment for women during the Depression. 

     The Great Depression greatly impacted America and its people. During the crash of 1929, many lost their jobs. It left a high unemployment rate among American people, which was a life-threatening situation because they were not financially secured. In other words, they did not have income to buy necessities for their survival. The crash affected mostly male workers because it hit the industries where a great number of men worked, but not much of the female manufacturing businesses. This led most women to work and served as the breadwinners of their families. The New Deal was established in the midst of the Great Depression, which allowed women to enter the workforce and to obtain opportunities for financial independence and autonomy. It improved the working conditions and encouraged women to join organized work, most importantly, the New Deal secured women’s labor rights.

 

Bibliography

Abelson, Elaine. “Women Who Have No Men to Work for Them”: The Gender and Homeless in the Great Depression, 1930-1934.” Feminist Studies 29, no. 1 (2003): 106-114. Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost (accessed April 14, 2014).

 

Blackwelder, Julia. Women of the Depression: Caste and Culture in San Antonio, 1929-1939. 1998. Texas A&M University Press, 1984. 26-36.  http://books.google.com/books?id=8uSkL-mMJxsC&pg=PA14&lpg=PA14&dq=%E2%80%9CWomen+of+the+Depression:+Caste+and+Culture+in+San+Antonio,+1929-1939&source=bl&ots=3Gu1xfL3Lb&sig=6NVDtZMcbOdZFL8Ua6kgcMuaFkk&hl=en&sa=X&ei=D1lPU6iaHcuVyATA1oCYDw&ved=0CFQQ6AEwBw#v=onepage&q=%E2%80%9CWomen%20of%20the%20Depression%3A%20Caste%20and%20Culture%20in%20San%20Antonio%2C%201929-1939&f=false

 

“Children and the Great Depression” Digital History. Date accessed April 8, 2014. http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/active_learning/explorations/explorations.cfm

 

Hapke, Laura. Daughters of the Great Depression: Women, Work, and Fiction in the American 1930s. 1997; University of Georgia Press, 1995. 4-8. http://books.google.com/books?id=HQuY1f26BSkC&pg=PR13&lpg=PR13&dq=Daughters+of+the+Great+Depression:+Women,+Work,+and+Fiction+in+the+American+1930s&source=bl&ots=po1SieJT9R&sig=Ak_eRDGc4Hw2HWZIZJMQ6JdfGYM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=jGBPU-n4NIKbyATYxoLACw&ved=0CEkQ6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=Daughters%20of%20the%20Great%20Depression%3A%20Women%2C%20Work%2C%20and%20Fiction%20in%20the%20American%201930s&f=false

 

Klein, Maury. “The Stock Market Crash of 1929: A Review Article.” The Business History Review 75, no. 2 (2001): 332. http://www.jstor.org/stable/3116648

 

“The Depression and World War II.” National Women’s History Museum. Last modified 2007.  http://www.nwhm.org/online-exhibits/industry/12.htm

Statement

• My essay is the correct word count (1000 words) and that I have listed the word count on by the title of the essay.  It if it shorter, I understand that I will be marked down based on a percentage.  So if I write 500 words, the highest grade will be a 50/100.

• I have not plagiarized in this paper.  I understand what plagiarism is.

• I also did not use websites as secondary sources for my paper.  If I did, I know that I will receive a 0/100 for my paper.

• I understand that if I plagiarize that I will receive a Fail for the assignment and my actions will be reported to the Dean.  I also understand that I could be kicked out of the course and the college.

• I also understand that turning in a paper without footnotes/bibliography constitutes plagiarism and I will receive a 0/100 for my paper if I do this. 

   

Sheila Mae Garnace                                                                                       4/18/2014

                                                                                               

 

            [1] “Children and the Great Depression,” Digital History, date accessed April 8, 2014, http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/active_learning/explorations/explorations.cfm

            [2] Maury Klein, “The Stock Market Crash of 1929: A Review Article,” The Business History Review 75, no. 2 (2001): 332, http://www.jstor.org/stable/3116648

            [3] Laura Hapke, Daughters of the Great Depression: Women, Work, and Fiction in the American 1930s, (1997; University of Georgia Press, 1995), 7, http://books.google.com/books?id=HQuY1f26BSkC&pg=PR13&lpg=PR13&dq=Daughters+of+the+Great+Depression:+Women,+Work,+and+Fiction+in+the+American+1930s&source=bl&ots=po1SieJT9R&sig=Ak_eRDGc4Hw2HWZIZJMQ6JdfGYM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=jGBPU-n4NIKbyATYxoLACw&ved=0CEkQ6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=Daughters%20of%20the%20Great%20Depression%3A%20Women%2C%20Work%2C%20and%20Fiction%20in%20the%20American%201930s&f=false

            [4] “The Depression and World War II,” National Women’s History Museum, last modified 2007, http://www.nwhm.org/online-exhibits/industry/12.htm

            [5] Julia Blackwelder, Women of the Depression: Caste and Culture in San Antonio, 1929-1939, (1984; Texas A&M University Press, 1998), 26, http://books.google.com/books?id=8uSkL-mMJxsC&pg=PA14&lpg=PA14&dq=%E2%80%9CWomen+of+the+Depression:+Caste+and+Culture+in+San+Antonio,+1929-1939&source=bl&ots=3Gu1xfL3Lb&sig=6NVDtZMcbOdZFL8Ua6kgcMuaFkk&hl=en&sa=X&ei=D1lPU6iaHcuVyATA1oCYDw&ved=0CFQQ6AEwBw#v=onepage&q=%E2%80%9CWomen%20of%20the%20Depression%3A%20Caste%20and%20Culture%20in%20San%20Antonio%2C%201929-1939&f=false

            [6] Ibid., 4.

            [7] Ibid., 5.

            [8] “The Depression and World War II.”

            [9] “The Depression and World War II.”

            [10] Elaine Abelson, “Women Who Have No Men to Work for Them”: The Gender and Homeless in the Great Depression, 1930-1934,” Feminist Studies 29, no. 1 (2003): 111, Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost (accessed April 14, 2014).

            [11] Blackwelder, Women of the Depression, 36.

            [12] Ableson, “Women Who Have No Men to Work for Them,” 110.

            [13] Ableson, “Women Who Have No Men to Work for Them,” 114.

            [14] Ibid., 8.

            [15] “Children and the Great Depression.”

            [16] Ibid., 7.

            [17] “The Depression and World War II.”

            [18] Blackwelder, Women of the Depression, 28.

Equal Pay Act

            In 1960s, women had limited opportunities in life. In the early 1920s they were expected to start a family and to spend time inside the household doing chores and caring for children. They had no right with their husbands’ earnings, and they depend on them. Moreover, women had no rights to control neither their properties nor earnings. Their wages are far less than what men received. The customary women’s jobs are focused more on manual work, clerical work, and services. [1]

            Employees’ rights are protected under several federal laws. An example is the Equal Pay Act of 1963, which is enforced by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). [2] The Equal Pay Act intention is to prevent discrimination between the two sexes. The goal for this act is for men and women to get employed on the “like” work or work that are equivalent. The terms and conditions are no longer in favor with men. The Act implies that employers must give women employees the same treatment as men get. Furthermore, this Act does not discriminate social classes; it applies to everyone.[3] This requires that men and women are given equal pay for equal work they do. It does not mean that the work performed needs to be identical; however, they must be substantially equal with the job content. 

            Employers are not allowed to pay unequal wages to men and women who work considerably the same skill, ability, education and training.[4]  “Like” is defined as “…as of the same or a broadly similar nature..,” and it is provided “…in comparing her work with which any such differences occur in practice as well as to the nature and extent of the differences.” Men and women may be employed on the same type of production. The output may be the same, but the job description changes when moving heavy materials, or cleaning of machinery, in which women need men’s assistance.[5] The Equal Pay Act has given women the opportunity to be treated equally like men do. Women are no longer staying as housewives, but they are now participating in the work force.  

 

Bibliography

Barrett, Brenda. “Equal Pay Act 1970. I.” The Modern Law Review 34, no. 3 (1971): 308-312,             http://www.jstor.org/stable/1094631

“Equal Pay Act 1963.” Society of Human and Resource Management. Date accessed April 13, 2014, http://www.shrm.org/LegalIssues/FederalResources/FederalStatutesRegulationsandGuidanc/Pages/EqualPayActof1963.aspx

Seear, B.N. “Equal Pay Act 1970. II.” Modern Law Review 34, no. 3 (1971), 312-316, http://www.jstor.org/stable/1094632

 “The 1960-70s American Feminist Movement: Breaking Down Barriers for Women,” Tavaana. Date Accessed April 13, 2014. http://tavaana.org/en/content/1960s-70s-american-           feminist-movement-breaking-down-           barriers-women

 

 

            [1] B.N. Seear, “Equal Pay Act 1970. II,” Modern Law Review 34, no. 3 (1971), 315, http://www.jstor.org/stable/1094632

            [2]  “Equal Pay Act 1963,” Society of Human and Resource Management, Date accessed April 13, 2014, http://www.shrm.org/LegalIssues/FederalResources/FederalStatutesRegulationsandGuidanc/

Pages/EqualPayActof1963.aspx

            [3] Brenda Barrett, “Equal Pay Act 1970. I,” The Modern Law Review 34, no. 3 (1971): 308, http://www.jstor.org/stable/1094631

            [4] “Equal Pay Act 1963.”

            [5] Brenda Barrett, The Modern Law Review, 309.

Amelia Earhart

 

AMELIA EARHART (1897-1937)

            Many women have entered into different field of study of their choices. One of the most celebrated aviators was Amelia Earhart. Amelia was born on July 24, 1897 in Atchinson, Kansas. She was the daughter of a railroad attorney. During her childhood, Earhart spent most of her time in Atchinson and Kansas City, Kansas and Des Moines, Iowa. She attended Ogontz School in 1916. However, she left school in 1918 and decided to take course in Red Cross First Aid. During World War I, she was enlisted to help the wounded soldiers at Spadina Military Hospital in Toronto, Canada. The following year, Earhart was enrolled in Columbia University in New York for premedical student. Afterwards, she moved to her parents place in California, where Earhart took aviation as a hobby. She worked to be able to pay for the flying lessons. Muriel, her sister, and her mother, Amy Earhart, helped her to buy her first airplane.[1]

            Amelia’s first flight opened the door for women aviators. In 1935, she became the first person to fly from Hawaii to the American mainland. Furthermore, “she became the first person to solo both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.”[2] In June 1937, she launched the first-around-the-world flight at the equator. She finished two-thirds of her historic flights in July 2, 1937.[3] Earhart and Frederick Noonan, her navigator, took off from Lae, New Guinea, and wanted to go to Howland Island in the Pacific Ocean, however, they disappeared. Many speculations went out after their disappearance, such as they ran out of fuel or landed on small island, but one thing is for sure, they are not yet found.[4] Amelia is considered as a symbol of power and perseverance of American women with an adventurous spirit. Her example educates the society about feminism. Thus, serves as her most important contribution.

 

Bibliography

Alpern, Sara. “Still Missing: Amelia Earhart and the Search for Modern Feminism.” The American Historical Review 100, no. 1 (1995):  223. doi: 10.2307/2168111

 “Biography of Amelia Earhart,” Web. April 3, 2014.  http://www.ameliaearhartmuseum.org/AmeliaEarhart/AEBiography.htm

Pisano, Dominic. “Amelia Earhart.” The Journal of American History 81, no. 3 (1994): 1405-1406. http://www.jstor.org/stable/2081626

 

            [1] “Biography of Amelia Earhart,” Web, April 3, 2014, http://www.ameliaearhartmuseum.org/AmeliaEarhart/AEBiography.htm

            [2] Sara Alpern, “Still Missing: Amelia Earhart and the Search for Modern Feminism,” The American Historical Review 100, no. 1 (1995): 223, doi: 10.2307/2168111

            [3] Dominic Pisano, “Amelia Earhart,” The Journal of American History 81, no. 3 (1994): 1405, http://www.jstor.org/stable/2081626

            [4] “Biography of Amelia Earhart”

Queen Victoria

 

    
Queen Victoria was born on May 24, 1819 in Kensington Palace, London. She was the daughter of Edward, Duke of Kent. After her father’s death she became heir to the throne because her uncles did not have children who survived. After his Uncle William IV’s death, she became queen in 1837 at the age of 18. She was associated with industrial expansion, economic progress and empire in Britain. During her reign, two men influenced her life: Lord Melbourne, first Prime Minister, and Prince Albert, her husband. These two men taught her how to rule in a constitutional monarchy using influence even if she had little power.^[1] She began her royal career wishing to be good. She longed not only temporary, but permanent peace of Europe and of the world.^[2]

     Queen Victoria and Prince Albert got married in 1840, and they had nine children between 1840 and 1857. Albert died in 1861 at the age of 42, which caused Victoria to got depressed. Victoria’s good qualities were honesty, generosity and loyalty which compensate for her display of emotions; these were exceptionally seen during her marriage life.^[3] Throughout her reign, she wore black. She barely appeared in front of people and was unwilling to resume a public life again. She died on January 22, 1901 at Osborne house on the Isle of Wight. She reigned to 64 years, which was the longest in British history. ^[4] 

     Queen Victoria’s death made a great impression upon the world because of her long reign, pure and noble womanhood, and power for righteousness, and her influence for peace among the nations. This became her uppermost desire of her soul. Although there were many critics about her, she escaped those personal critics, and she won the love of many people in all lands.^[5] Her influence and popularity was well taken seriously to heart by many English people and her desire for peace deepened her to the last. 

 

 

Bibliography

 

Costigan, Giovanni. “Queen Victoria: From Her Birth to the Death of the Prince Consort.”

     The American Historical Review 78, no. 5 (1973): 1463-1464. doi: 10.2307/1854144

“Queen Victoria’s Death.” The Advocate of Peace 63, no.2 (1901): 25-26,

Victoria. The British Monarchy. Last modified 2009.

     http://www.royal.gov.uk/historyofthemonarchy/kingsandqueensoftheunitedkingdom/thehanoverians/victoria.aspx

 

 

---

^[1] Victoria, The British Monarchy, last modified 2009, http://www.royal.gov.uk/historyofthemonarchy/kingsandqueensoftheunitedkingdom/thehanoverians/victoria.aspx

^[2] “Queen Victoria’s Death,” The Advocate of Peace 63, no.2 (1901): 25.

^[3] Giovanni Costigan, “Queen Victoria: From Her Birth to to the Death of the Prince Consort,” The American Historical Review 78, no. 5 (1973):1464. doi: 10.2307/1854144

^[4] Ibid.

^[5] Ibid., 25-26.

Marie Antoinette

     Antoinette was one of the tragic figures in European history. She was born in Vienna, Austria in November 2, 1755.[1] She was the 15^th child of Roman Emperor Francis I and Habsburg empress Maria Theresa. At the age of 15, she got married with the French king Louis XVI. Her marriage was difficult. There was a pornographic rumors. During the American Revolution in 18^th century, French intervened, which led to abundance of debt for the French state. Owners of the Catholic churches and the nobility did not have to pay for taxes, while the ordinary people were squeezed with the high taxes that were imposed. Marie Antoinette became the target of vicious gossip during the criticisms about the French Monarchy.[2] In June 1791, the couple fled Paris and went to Marie’s brother, a Roman Emperor, which in turn, made her seem to be a traitor. During the French Revolution in 1789, her family had to “live under the supervision of revolutionary authorities.”[3] King Louis XVI was executed in 1793, while Marie Antoinette was arrested. She was falsely accused with sexual abuse against her own son; and was found guilty. She was imprisoned and beheaded on October 16, 1793 by the order of the Revolutionary tribunal. However, the night before her execution she wrote, “I am calm…as people are whose conscience is clear.” [4] Marie Antoinette’s existence is believed to be significant, especially in French Revolution.

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                [1] Marie Antoinette Biography, Bio True Story, last modified 2014, http://www.biography.com/people/marie-antoinette-9398996?page=3

                [2] T.C.W. Blanning, The Culture of power and the power of culture: old regime Europe, 1660-1789 (Oxford University Press, 2002).

                [3] Marie-Antoinette, A&E History Networks Digital, last modified 2014, http://www.history.com/topics/marie-antoinette

                [4] Ibid.

Women in 1500-1600

Religious leaders were alarmed with the situation of women and marriage. In the late 1500 and early 1600, people practiced immoral act. Women became prostitutes and were indisciplined. Official governments regularly visited the house of prostitution in the cities of Germany (Witte 293). This prostitution led to women being raped, especially by robbers and soldiers. This problem was seen and most recognized by Martin Luther, also the religious leaders, so they made laws about marriage, divorce, and propriety sex. A catholic leader, St. Augustine, discussed and adopted laws about “adultery, polygamy and oppression of women” One source states, “celibacy was barely an acceptable choice” (Westerkamp 294). It proves that women were unlawful, which resulted to filthy cities filled with wrong deeds. When women got married, they subjected themselves to their husbands. Laws gave husbands the full rights controlling the household, especially over his wife (Westerkamp 4). If a woman committed adultery, she was executed- burn on a stake (Westerkamp 5). A wife who killed her husband, were being burned on a stake as well. Even if a husband treated the wife brutally, she had to stay with the husband no matter what (Women in Tudor England).

The periods between 1500 and 1600 influenced how many people act how they are today. People think that such behavior is an acceptable norms. However, the unacceptable act gave a positive impact in the society. Religious leaders made laws for the benefit of many, but then again, many married women were treated harshly because men were given the full power inside the house.

 

Westerkamp, Marilyn. “The Puritan and Evangelical Traditions.” Women and Religion in Early America, 1600-1850. 4-5. Web. 7 Feb. 2014.

Witte, John. “The Reformation on Marriage Law in Martin Luther’s Germany: Its Significance Then and Now.” Journal of Law and Religion 4.2 (1986): 293-294. Web. 7 Feb. 2014.

www.histoylearningsite.co.uk/women_in_tudor_england.htm

Women in Society: Why it interests me?

The very first thing that caught my interest is the topic about the position of women in society. Also, I am interested in technological innovations. When we see women in society these days, they are more than capable of doing things than before. Most women work and serve as breadwinners of their families. They are able to enter in the workforce and to obtain opportunities for financial independence and autonomy. They have the right to join the military like men do. Women are entitled for parental and marital rights. However, these rights would not just come from nowhere. They should start from somewhere and progress gradually. I may be aware of women’s position in society now, but what about in 1500s? This topic caught my attention because I am interested in knowing what women had to face before getting in their places right now. They encountered oppositions and executions because of wrong accusations. The questions that come to my mind are, how were they treated? What were the things they had to face before getting their freedom? Who were responsible of all these accomplishments? The events in 1500s definitely affected our situation today.

I am also interested in technological innovations, but not as much as the topic of women in society. We are fortunate that we have such helpful technologies that we rely on nowadays. These technologies make our work easier and faster. However, there are positive and negative impacts that they brought to the society. The more I learn about the past, the more I appreciate the contributions of people who were associated with these changes in society, which we are all affected by.

Evaluation

     The weekly blog post I think is helpful for students who are eagerly interested in knowing more about history because we get to summarize something that has been taught in class or any topic of our choice. It helps students to get a clear understanding of a certain topic, and it improves students writing. Also, the ScoopIt! pages give students a more explanation to the topic, which is also helpful.

     Each student learn differently; I like lectures. Although our class is not that interactive, I enjoy listening to the discussion. The visual aid used is helping me a lot to pay attention to the details that are given, and gives me enough time to take down notes. It is nice to have three quizzes based on the topics covered and not cummulative, which is reasonable considering the workload in this class.

     I am honestly not into technology, and this is the first history class I have ever had that is really into use of technology. I think the projects get a bit complicated sometimes because we have to post them to different websites. However, I appreciate having to deal with it because it enhanced what I know, and at the same time I learned new ways of expanding my knowledge in making good videos and auras. But overall, I enjoyed and learned a lot in this class despite of the workload that is given to us.

 

Foot Binding Practice

     The first foot binding recorded was in 10^th century in south China.  According to the story, the emperor of China had a favorite mistress; a dancer who built a lotus-shaped stage. She bound her feet into a hoof-shaped like, and she danced on the stage. The other mistresses thought it made her more attractive than them, so they made their feet bound to gain approval from the emperor. This practice soon reached north China. In the 12^th to mid-17^thcentury, foot binding became popular widespread, and for every woman who wanted to get married had to make their feet bound. Although many people followed this practice, very poor and women who worked in fishing did not bind their feet because they needed normal feet to balance on the boats.

     Between the ages of four and six were the preferred ages that girls could bind their feet. The toes were bended underneath the sole and wrapped with long ribbons all the way to the ankle. The idea was to break the feet whenever it grew too big. This process took for about two to three years, and then the feet would be bound for the rest of the women’s life. The bounding of feet developed strong muscles in women’s hips, thighs, and buttocks, which became attractive to Chinese men.

     The foot binding practice, though, became unfashionable when the Qing dynasty had fallen in the 19^th century. When the Western countries colonized with China, they had a great impact in eradicating this practice; but not in the mountainous areas. The unfashionable bound feet affected many marriages. Women with bound feet were humiliated and many never showed their feet to their husbands again.  

 

This blog post is based on one the scoopits!

http://www.theatlantic.com/china/archive/2013/09/the-peculiar-history-of-foot-binding-in-china/279718/