Final answer:
After the struggle for independence, while women continued to be seen largely as homemakers, they experienced gradual changes in their lives, including some legal and social advancements and the emergence of new cultural norms. Yet, significant political rights, like the right to vote, were not achieved until much later, despite their substantial contributions to the war effort.
Step-by-step explanation:
In comparison with the colonial period, after independence, women's lives saw some shifts in dynamics and expectations, although the deep-seated view of women primarily as homemakers did not immediately change. The Revolutionary War demanded that women shoulder additional responsibilities, such as supporting the war effort through various means, running family homes and farms, and nursing the wounded. In the face of their contributions to the fight for independence, some women hoped for an improvement in political and social standing, including the rights to vote and hold office. However, despite their essential roles during the conflict, these significant changes came about only gradually over the years that followed.
The war's end did bring some changes, such as the concept of Republican motherhood, suggesting a public duty for women to educate their children for virtuous citizenship. This belief implied that women needed better education themselves to fulfill this role effectively. Additionally, legal and social rights were slightly improved, as seen with the easing of divorce procedures and greater property rights for single women and widows. Nonetheless, most postwar improvements did not translate into greater political power, as practices like coverture, where a husband had legal control over his wife's choices and property, were still prevalent.
The decades following independence saw continued changes, manifesting as more comfort in fashion, an emergence of new job opportunities, and a broader cultural recognition of women's capabilities. Despite pressures to return to traditional roles, many women pushed against the expectation to revert to their pre-war domestic confines. The struggle for more equal footing continued across the globe as nations and populations sought greater self-determination and legitimacy in the postcolonial era.