Journal

Nation building is a lot of hard work, including physical labor. Nations - and cities - aren't built only through proclamations and laws but also depend on farmers, laborers, and local industries.

After considering the section on working class women and girls working in the Lowell mills (additional pages in the textbook on 156–57, 168–172), let's think about how the life experiences of working class women and girls differed from what was expected or idealized for "true women" in the early 19th century (discussed at the opening of module).

In other words, use the example of the Lowell Mill girls to reflect on how social/economic class shapes the perception of and the treatment of women in early 19th century U. S. society.

Be sure to include some mention of the the ideals of true womanhood in your response so that you demonstrate that you understand that historical concept.