In the book Sex and Sexuality in Early America, Merril Smith argues that sex, and particularly rape, was a form of subjugation of native cultures in early America. The book traces the history of the role that sex played in the politics of early America through the late 18th century. The author explores many subjects that are not addressed by other authors including cross dressing and laws regarding sexuality. Using evidence form the book, this essay will support the thesis that sex and sexuality played a larger role in the shaping of early America than was once thought.
Sexual coercion in the early colonies was a privilege of status. Smith supports this supposition through examples taken from primary sources. A gentleman could do no wrong in Puritan society. If there was a transgression and the woman became pregnant, she always shared some of the fault, as they believed that one could not become pregnant without mutual consensus.
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"Sex and Sexuality in Early America: A Book Review".
First contact with the indigenous peoples resulted in the rape of native women as a form of establishing new authority structures. Those who were captured by Native Americans were not raped. Native Americans who were captured by whites expected to be raped. This example demonstrates the differences in attitude between these two societies regarding sex and power. When native men offered their women and the Spanish men offered nothing in return, it was reason for an act of war. The Europeans consistently presented the idea as if the women were the ones who initiated the act through their sexual appetite.
Another example that Smith uses to support the thesis is the conquest of Mexico. Once, again control was accomplished through the subjugation of the women, sex was the tool. Smith relates at story of an Italian noble on Columbia’s second voyage to the Caribbean who beat a woman until she would have sex with him. Smith relays the story in a way that demonstrates the differences in how the two sides would view the story. Smith noted that religious leaders did not condone this activity and promoted the idea of celibacy among the priests.
One of the key strengths of Smiths work is that the thesis is supported through numerous examples from different parts of the world and throughout a wide span of time. The stories and examples presented are taken from primary sources including journals, diaries, letters and other accounts. One of the key weaknesses of the arguments is that the author’s viewpoints are consistently European and no written records exist of the indigenous accounts. However, this is due to the lack of evidence from non-European sources. The author does address this issue by using what can be extrapolated from the written sources. The author attempts to compare several different viewpoints from different classes of society.
In the world that Smith creates, men are in control. It is women who must shoulder the burden and a majority of the blame for sexual activities. Smith uses comparison and contrast of social roles to make his point about the inequality that existed towards women in early America. The arguments are supported through example and by using comparison and contrast of different societies in this regard. Smith’s ability to demonstrate a consistent pattern in terms of sexual activity and control in different setting is the best evidence to support his thesis.
- Smith, Merril D. ed., Sex and Sexuality in Early America. New York: New York
University Press, 1998.
