Seminar 1, Revolutionary Movements Flashcards
(17 cards)
Why did feminists use the language of the French Revolution?
To relate to the audience and create sympathy for their cause
The language was associated with freedom and liberty, which feminists sought in their struggle against male dominance.
How effective was the use of revolutionary language by feminists?
Not massively effective, as many men did not view the revolution as relevant for women or gender issues.
What was the political context for women during the French Revolution?
Women were not deemed acceptable to be involved in politics.
How did the arguments of late eighteenth-century feminists differ from contemporary feminist arguments?
Past feminists did not argue for total equality; they focused on political and citizenship rights instead.
Fill in the blank: Many women in the past wanted political rights, but did not necessarily seek _______.
total equality
What was a common belief regarding women’s roles in the home during the late eighteenth century?
Some women wanted to maintain their roles at home while gaining political responsibilities.
In what way has the justification for social equality shifted from the late eighteenth century to today?
From religious themes and natural order to necessity linked to the decline of religion and rise of science.
True or False: Male revolutionaries believed in ‘Liberty, equality, and fraternity’ for both men and women.
False
What did male revolutionaries fear regarding women’s demands for citizenship rights?
They feared that women could rise to be more than men.
What was von Hippel’s argument regarding women’s equality?
He argued it was rational and that Enlightenment thinkers should have supported feminism.
Why did Enlightenment thinkers generally not support women’s equality?
They favored secular approaches and did not see female attributes as key to success.
How did the rise of Enlightenment thinking affect perceptions of gender?
It linked biological differences to emotions, reinforcing the idea of women’s inferiority.
What was a misconception regarding male and female roles during the Enlightenment?
The belief that men lacked the biological capacity to fulfill roles traditionally assigned to women.
What do the readings reveal about the Enlightenment’s treatment of women’s issues?
It was a rejection of religion but primarily focused on benefits for men, ignoring women’s rights.
How did the French Revolution reflect the limitations of its own goals?
It was a revolution for men, with women challenging male superiority but not achieving full rights.
What was the main focus of late eighteenth-century feminists?
Equality, though many still believed women should primarily be in a domestic setting.
What assumption did some male feminists make about women’s roles?
That women were superior to men.
