History Chapters 10-12 Study Guide

Study Notes

Cult of Domesticity

Describes a 19th-century value system in the U.S. and Britain among the upper and middle classes.
Emphasized ideals of femininity, the woman's role in the home, and work-family dynamics.
"True women" were expected to embody four cardinal virtues: piety, purity, domesticity, and submissiveness.
Women were considered the "light of the home," central to family life.
Promoted primarily by white, Protestant individuals, especially from New England and the Northeast.
Excluded black, working-class, and immigrant women from the definition of "true women" due to prevailing social prejudices.
Historical analysis has evolved, suggesting a more complex understanding of women's roles, which included contradictions that may have contributed to feminism.

Virtues of "Womanhood"

Defined within the separate spheres ideology, positioning the home as women's "proper sphere."
Women were tasked with household management, child-rearing, and caring for husbands.
Expected characteristics of "True Women" included delicacy and avoidance of strenuous activities.
Competing view, "Real Womanhood," encouraged physical fitness, community involvement, and education within the domestic context.
Literature and magazines of the time provided guidelines on home transformation and maintaining fashion to please husbands.

Piety

Valued as it kept women within the home and restrained their desires, contrasting with intellectual pursuits.

Purity

Virginity was regarded as a woman's greatest asset, with expectations surrounding fidelity to husbands after marriage.

Submission

True women were expected to be obedient and submissive, with a belief that men held superiority ordained by God.

Domesticity

A woman's rightful place was in the home, creating a nurturing environment for her family.
Domestic activities included cooking, needlework, and gardening; reading non-religious literature was often discouraged.

Influence of The Cult of Domesticity

Limited married women's participation in the labor market in the 19th and early 20th centuries, with only 4.5% being employed in 1890 compared to 40.5% of single women.
Reinforced financial dependence on husbands, creating challenges for women facing the loss of a spouse through death or abandonment.
Established a societal divide between the domestic and public spheres, impacting women's power and status in society.

Description

This quiz focuses on key concepts from Chapters 10 to 12 of American history, including the Cult of Domesticity. Test your understanding of the societal norms and values that characterized the lives of women in the 19th century. Ideal for students preparing for exams or reviewing course materials.