MMW 14 Lecture 5: Women and the Enlightenment

• School: UCSD
• Department: Making of the Modern World
• Course: MMW 14
• Professor: Edmond Chang

Document Summary

The impact of the enlightenment on european women. Mid-18th century publications on science for women i) ii) Social contract theory applied to the domestic sphere b) i) Olympe de gouges: declaration of the rights of women (1791) (a) (1) (2) One of the most vocal of a social contract that applied to women. Insisted on the natural rights of both sexes to life, liberty, and property (a) Meant that women should have equal share or access to the family profit. Inheritance regardless of who the father is (b) In exchange for these rights, women subject to the same duties (a) (b) (c) Women must be accounted for in the "general will" Demanding that women should be able to hold public office--> take on the role of government. Women should step up and contribute their life and effort--> not all take. Having access to those rights means responsibilities (d) ii) Introduction of free public education for boys and girls.