Blog # 6

Textbook: Chapter 4

1. During the expansion of the United States women of all ethnicities were burdened with new experiences. Most were not good. Native Americans feared the traveling white settlers for assignations among their fellow tribes were common. Women white and Indian were afraid of the opposite race during the nights. This is something that white women living on the east coast rarely had to fear. When native tribes were attacked many young women were seized to become slaves and prostitutes. Women in the traveling wagons experienced a life like never before. Diseases killed off many of the pack, they still had to perform all, if not more, of the domestic responsibilities and even gave child birth during the six month or longer journey. Once in California though, women set off to make a name for themselves. Many women even traveled alone to start a new life. Women ran boarding houses and food or laundry services, earning fairly good pay. Still, some women became prostitutes, but American women shared this occupation with French, Spanish, Native American and Chinese women as well. Chinese women were captured from China and sold in America as indentured servants and prostitutes. Few out lived their term and were able to marry. Because of the diseases that men carried, prostitute women were very unfertile and didn't live very long.

2. Since women were becoming more independent economically, they also became more independent religiously. Women started becoming more religiously involved which allowed them to speak their mind more freely. They spoke out about reform activities that would help benefit their communities presently and in the future. Many men drank themselves into oblivion so many women and children suffered. Women wanted reforms on alcohol laws preventing their husbands from abusing them. They also wanted more rights concerning their health, including contraception, voting, and laws allowing them more economic independence.

Source Interpretation
Textbook document “Maria Angustias De La Guerra Ord”

1. Maria was both curious and fearful of the strangers because she was unsure if they would be able to figure out her secret. She was curious about the way the solider will respond to her answers. She does not give the solider any answers on the whereabouts of the fugitive she is harboring and she was wondering whether or not he will be able to see if she is lieing or not. She is most fearful that she will be caught and punished. She is harboring a fugitive within feet of the solider and being caught could have been easy. She is able to conceal this fear and curiosity by simple asking a questions. If this man is caught he is sure to go to jail or worst and since she knows how awful that experience is because of her own two brothers then concealing her secret and emotions is no problem for her.

2. The absence of men is the strength that Maria draws on. Her husband is away from home so she was the authority of the dwelling. In the same way that white women became “deputy husband” when the men were not home, she becomes the main source of strength and authority. She draws strength from her husband being away. He is not there to say no, therefore she was no one to report her actions to. She draws courage from the fact that she is helping saving a mans life as well. Her two brothers are both in prison for no reason. She is upset about this and if being able to save one man's life from the suffering her brothers have to face then the chance of being caught is worth it.