Best known work ‘A Vindication of the Rights of the Woman’ - Wollstonecraft argued that men and women should be treated as equally rational human beings:

Women were not naturally inferior to men
They may appear this way because they were denied the same educational chances

One of the greatest quotes to surface in feminism was from her “the mind has no gender”. Wollstonecraft was an advocate for formal equality:

Women and men should be entitled to the exact same civil liberties
Women could then experience life free from the chains of patriarchy
Women should be even allowed to have a career outside of the home in this form of equality
This led to Wollstonecraft being the founder of the feminist movement
She ignited the first wave of feminism by standing out in a society that would not accept her ideas

Reason:

She argued that women need to be educated in body and mind, this would allow them to be better wives, mothers and citizens.

This would also make them fully human - beings ruled by reason (rational) and characterised by self-command

The development of reason is what would aspire women to obtain full citizenship
This is would allow rational women can perceive their real duties

"Reason should cultivate and govern those instincts which are implanted in us to render the path of duty pleasant—for if they are not governed they will run wild; and strengthen the passions which are ever endeavouring to obtain dominion—I mean vanity and self-love."

In ‘A Vindication of the Rights of the Woman’, Wollstonecraft made important contributions to: aristocracy and republicanism

Aristocracy:

She states that there are many similarities between aristocracy and patriarchal rule of the time - a hierarchical system that rates the educated male above everyone else and ultimately subjugates the female. Further, because the aristocracy lack any seriousness they cannot function in a way that is worthy and influential to all people.

Republicanism:

Believes in a republic that leads to the overthrowing of all titles, including those of the monarchy. The majority of Wollstonecraft’s political criticism is in relation to morality. Her view of virtue focuses on society as a whole; she explains natural rights to proceed ultimately from God and that there are duties attached to those rights. For her, the individual is taught republicanism in the family.

The Revolution Controversy:

This was a British debate that occurred over the French Revolution from 1789-1795

Wollstonecraft was one figure to respond to the revolution, defending it, just as Edmund Burke did
The Revolution led to her producing ‘A Vindication of the Rights of the Woman’

It was in this text that Wollstonecraft highlighted how the French revolution needed to include the reforming of political and social structures of women in society and their personal space. Through debates, Wollstonecraft pushed the idea that women should be equal, receiving education regardless of their race or class.

Wollstonecraft wanted to give women an opportunity to develop themselves and deliver them from the stereotype that a woman is concerned only with herself.

Key Liberal Thinkers