From: Rosemary D'Angelo
Date: 2/24/00
Time: 6:46:12 AM
Remote Name: 209.206.28.5
Rosemary D’Angelo
In the 1780’s, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Adams fought for the rights of republicans to govern themselves. Equality in the new republic was honored for both blacks and women. It was suggested that “Liberty was the natural Right of all Men equally.” Blacks spoke out of their equal rights and liberty. They stated that slavery contradicted the constitution, which implied “all men…free and equal.” Thomas Jefferson said “that nature has given to our black brethren, talents equal to those of the other colors of men.” However, the European immigrants of the northern states did not acknowledge the plea of the blacks. They did not want to compete with ex-slaves in the working field. This began the construction of antislavery societies. Franklin, John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, and other New Yorkers helped organize these groups. In the 1800’s, slavery in the northern states was slowly demolishing. As blacks celebrated their freedom, it was just the beginning of them facing discrimination. The new republic also changed the way families were viewed. Fathers were the superior figure in the family. They were allowed to demonstrate any form of obedience on both their children and wives. Two American women, Abigail Adams and Lucy Knox, suggested the acknowledgement of women to their husbands. Only Knox’s husband considered this plea for women’s equality. Women were given the equal education as their husbands. This was because women were responsible for raising their sons and instilling the right values in them, which required proper education. In 1793, women were able to divorce their “deceitful lovers and unforgiving fathers.”