Final answer:
The principle of coverture in early America meant that married women had no legal status separate from their husbands and could not own property independently. Martha Washington's situation, where her property would become her new husband's upon remarriage, is a clear example of these restrictive property rights for married women. This contrasted with other cultures, like the Han, where women had more control over property.
Step-by-step explanation:
To support the statement that in a marriage in early America, all property belonged to the husband, the best evidence can be found in the description of coverture. Coverture was a legal principle where a married woman, or feme covert, had no legal status independent of her husband, unable to conduct business or own property. The husband controlled property brought into the marriage and retained legal control over his wife's person, property, and choices, although he could not sell her real property without her agreement.
In the context of Martha Washington's life, when her first husband died she became a wealthy widow, owning land and slaves. However, upon remarriage, her property would legally transfer to her new husband. This underscores the reality that despite temporarily managing her assets and plantations, Martha's independence was legally diminished once she remarried due to the laws of property ownership in marriage.
The situation in eighteenth-century America sharply contrasts with the Han practice where women retained ownership of their dowries, could manage household budgets, and even inherit and bequeath property. This difference emphasizes the restrictive nature of women's property rights in early America.
The complete Question is given below:
The following passage is about Martha Washington, the wife of George Washington. Select the best evidence to support the statement that in a marriage in early America, all property belonged to the husband. When her first husband died, she was the twenty-six-year-old owner of more than 17,500 acres of land and nearly 300 slaves. He hadn't left a will, which would have automatically transferred the property to another man. When she decided to remarry, it would all go by law to her new husband. So for a time she capably ran the five plantations left to her, bargaining with merchants for the best tobacco prices, shrewd about getting advice—while raising her two children who had survived infancy. As a rich widow, Martha was more independent and more capable of choosing her own destiny than just about any American woman of her day. From Kathleen Krull, A Kids' Guide to America's First Ladies. Copyright 2017 by Kathleen Krull