Blog #6

Textbook: Chapter 4

1. What were the different kinds of experiences that particular groups of women had as the United States expanded west to the Pacific Coast??

The main experiences that all the groups of women had as the United States expanded west to the Pacific Coast was their household duties to wash, cook, raise their children and so much more. The Mexican women had more control in their relationships over their properties. However, after American men passed a legislature, the Mexican women became poor without their lands. The native American women had a very bad experience by being thrown out of their own land by Andrew Jackson's “Indian Removal Act.” The California Indians were kidnapped, raped and killed as the settlers came from the east. The women on the Oregon Trail had a very tough experience, too. They took care of their children and cooking and their husbands drove the wagons. Most of the work and pressure was on women even when they were pregnant.

2. What kinds of historical developments brought American women into reform activities in the antebellum years?

I think that Republican Motherhood was very remarkable in expanding the educational opportunities American Women. It helped the American women to start attending schools and become educated people. Education helped them to achieve a lot more in their lives than before. Some of these educated women became writers, teachers, missionaries, and other professional people. Women also began to form groups and religious organizations for their. However, I think that the fight for women’s rights was the most significant historical development that brought American women into reform activities in the antebellum years. They fought for their rights, and this movement led to many accomplishments. In 1860 women got the permission of having economic right. They were able to buy and sell their properties, have the custody of their children when they divorced and so on.

Textbook document ( Chapter 4 pp. 242-243) – “Maria Angustias De La Guerra Ord”

1. Maria responds to the strangers she encounters with both fear and curiosity. About what is she curious? What is the source of her fear and how does Maria exhibit or conceal her reaction?

Maria was curious about whether or not the American soldiers would find Jose Antonio Chavez. She was also scared of having so many armed soldiers in her home, especially at that very late time. The other source of her fear was that American soldiers would find Chavez and she did not know what the consequences of her actions would be. However, she did not show her fear and curiosity to the Lieutenant. She told him that she was not frightened by anything and added that no one could have a rest in her home if she or he was not a member of her family. After soldiers left, her reaction to Chavez’s thankfulness was “What I have done for you today, I would do tomorrow for an American if you unjustly attempted to do him wrong," (243). I think that her respond to Chavez is very remarkable and shows what kind of a good person she was.

2. What is the source of strength that Maria draws? How does the absence of men affect the way she acts?

I think the source of strength that Maria draws is her maternal strength. Mothers are very good at helping their children or other people that are in need. The absence of men affected the way she acted a lot. Because her husband was not around, Maria felt like she was the head of the house. She took charge of everything, and was able to succeed. Maria acted very independently. The absence of her husband helped her to become stronger at making good decisions. I think that Maria De La Guerra Ord was a very smart, strong, independent, and responsible woman.