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THE PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN IN THE WARS FOR INDEPENDENCE IN NORTHERN SOUTH AMERICA 1810-1824
Throughout the centuries, women participated in wars in non-traditional roles as combatants, spies and couriers and in more traditional ways as nurses, helpmates and campfollowers. Furthermore, they lent their political, economic and emotional support to the causes. Some were rewarded with fame, glory and pensions; others were wounded, killed, tortured or martyred. In this way, the women of northern South America were no different than those who came before them. When the wars for independence began in the Viceroyalty of New Granada(1) in 1810, women of all classes and ages contributed to the war effort in a variety of ways.
Until this time, the typical upper class creole woman led a restricted life. Protected by the walls of home or convent, dedicated to her family or the Catholic Church, she had no political rights, nor did she seek them. Political power rested with crown officials who governed in the name of the king. Creole men were allowed to participate only in cabildos (town meetings) and hence were frustrated by their minimal political rights and activities. Women, however, did possess legal and economic rights, which they exercised to their fullest.(2) They petitioned authorities, initiated lawsuits, sued, pressed criminal charges, defended their human rights, owned, inherited and bequeathed wealth and property and engaged in trade and commerce.(3)
The legal and economic freedoms that women possessed and exercised demonstrate that they were not second class citizens. Women were accustomed to freedom and responsibility in conducting their own business and legal affairs during the colonial period; however, their energies were soon to be directed into new channels. From 1780 to 1810 plots, conspiracies and political meetings against Spanish rule engaged the interest and talents of women.
The last half of the eighteenth century was a period of intellectual awakening in northern South America that touched the lives of both men and women at the top of the social structure. A spirit of scientific inquiry and a zeal for practical knowledge fostered by the European Enlightenment took deep root in the area. This passion for knowledge was manifested by the founding of schools, libraries, theatres, newspapers, literary societies and by a keen interest in science. All...