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Colonial Women Spin for Liberty (with text supports)

During the colonial period, colonists imported most of their manufactured goods. In 1767, the British government passed laws that required American colonists to pay taxes on imported goods from England. Many colonists responded by forming non-importation agreements, refusing to buy imported goods and urging other colonists to do the same. For women, who could not vote or hold office, non-importation campaigns were a way to participate in colonial politics. Many of them publicly gave up drinking tea and began spinning their own yarn, to avoid buying cloth imported from Britain. Some spelling changes and edits have been made to improve clarity.


Source | New-York Journal, 24 August 1769. Image citation: Isaiah Thomas, "Spinner," woodcut, from "Mother Goose's Melody, or Songs for the Cradle," 1794.
Creator | New-York Journal
Item Type | Newspaper/Magazine
Cite This document | New-York Journal, “Colonial Women Spin for Liberty (with text supports),” SHEC: Resources for Teachers, accessed March 29, 2024, https://shec.ashp.cuny.edu/items/show/1655.

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