Women played a very important role in the development of the Republic in the United States. Although their influences were indirect, they had a significant impact. Women were not allowed to participate in elections or hold office; but they were wives of politicians and “mothers of the republic”. Although they were legally ineligible for the above roles, they were granted the right to education and some freedom, which allowed them to become more intellectually acceptable on matters of government. “The people” in the constitution referred to free white men. in America. It was the founding knowledge of America. They also believed greatly in female secrecy at the start of the Republic. Part of The Secret Wife stated "that a woman's civil life was entirely subsumed by her husband." It also stated that women could not be sued or sue anyone else, that their land belonged entirely to their husbands, that they could not enter into contracts, and that even their children legally belonged to their husbands . (Roark et al. Page 287) These views on women did not stop them from expressing their opinions. Abigail Adams clearly did not hold the view that “the people” should be entitled to men. She said in letters to her husband that women “were deprived of their voice in the legislature,” even though they were required to do so by the laws imposed on them. (Roark et al. page 215) There were other women in the Republic who expressed their opinions on the matter, but in the beginning many women were accustomed to this form of life and went with the flow. Even though married women could not own property. or anything like that, single women could own land, enter into contract, file lawsuits, and pay taxes. Even with the privileges granted in the middle of paper......e heard. With so many laws regarding their status and limiting their contribution, one would think that they could never be part of “The People”. However, throughout history, the fact that women have played many different roles has made a difference. They may not always have been able to express it freely, but through time, education, that of their husband, their son and the Church, they made themselves heard. The women of the First Republic changed the lives of generations to come. They also played an important role in equality for African Americans. Every woman today should thank them for the opportunity provided by the Republican Mothers. Works cited1. Roark, James L; Johnson, Michael P.; Cohen, Patricia Cline; Scene, Sarah; Hartmann, Susan M.. The American Promise: A History of the United States. Fifth edition, ValueEdition. Volume 1. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2009. Print