Discuss the social and political aspects of women in early American between 1777 and 1850.

There were at least two "aspects" to the social/political
role of women during this time period.  The two aspects were at least somewhat in
tension with one another.

On the one hand, there was the
idea of republican motherhood and separate spheres that predominated for much of this
time.  These ideas held that the woman's "place" was in the home and that her main job
was to take care of her children and raise them to be productive members of
society.

On the other hand, there was the aspect of woman
as social reformer.  This role for women came about largely during and after the 1830s. 
In this role, women played important roles in such things as the abolitionist movement. 
This reformist aspect led eventually to the creation of a women's rights movement with
the Seneca Falls convention of 1848.