Women Suffrage Essay, Research Paper
Women Suffrage
Women?s rights in America have always been a major issue throughout history.
Women?s rights have been closely linked with human rights throughout . This violation of
Women?s rights is apparent in the fight for suffrage in the late 1800?s-early 1900?s . It can
be said that the government denying the vote to women is a human right offense because
the right to vote is a natural right that comes with citizenship. To deny a certain group
based on race, age, or gender is deny them of their basic rights and therefore taking the
stance that they are second-class citizens if they are citizens at all. . The fight for suffrage
was a human rights struggle for more than just the right to vote. They were also striving
for a right to equal treatment as men politically. Women wanted to be recognized as being
a political force able to change the country if they so chose.
Suffrage can be documented as starting as far back as 1776, with Abigail Adams.
She wrote to her husband John, who was attending the Continental Congress, asking that
he and the other men ?remember the ladies? In response, the Declaration is worded as ?all
men are created equal:? Although this was seen by the men as a joke between husband
and wife, it was a blatant refusal of women as citizens of the country.
In he 1800?s women?s rights were furthered by the Married Woman?s Property
Act which was passed by Maryland in 1839. This law gave women the right to retain
personal property even within marriage. Now, the husband could not come into control of
the women?s property and sell it when married. This law was important because it
recognized the fact that women had the right to personal property even if there was a man
attached to them.
The origins of what we would determine as the suffrage movement began in 1848
with the Seneca Falls Convention, which was held in Seneca Falls New York in July of
1848. Many of those who attend sign a ?Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions? that
outlines the main issues and goals for the emerging women?s movement. Included in the
?women?s Declaration of Independence? was the goal of the right to vote, but that was
looked upon by most of the women as a radical unachievable goal.
The passage of the Fifteenth Amendment in 1869 caused a rift in the suffrage
movement. Elizabeth Caty Stanton and Susan B Anthony form the National Woman
Suffrage Association (NWSA). Lucy Stone, Henry Blackwell, and Julia Ward Howe
formed the American Woman Suffrage Association (AWSA). The NWSA did not support
the 15th Amendment, it pushed for an alternative 15th Amendment granting women?s
right to vote. They were considered the more radical of the two groups.. The AWSA was
in support of the 15th amendment, while still working for women?s enfranchisement, more
on a state level. The NWSA thought it was more important to attack the issue on a
national scale while the AWSA thought that if you worked within the states and perhaps
got state by state suffrage, the goal could be attained.
IN 1872 Susan B Anthony attempted to vote for the elections in New York. She
and several other women were successful in their attempts. Anthony was arrested and
found guilty of ?knowingly, wrongfully, and unlawfully voting for a representative to the
Congress of the United Sates.. The courts were afraid to jail her , fearing riots. She was
issued a fine which she refused to pay.
In the West suffrage was doing well about this time, several of the western
territories enfranchised women in hopes that they would emigrate westward. These areas
included Wyoming, Utah, Colorado and Idaho. This was also a source of unrest for the
East. The fat that westerners could vote while the women who were campaigning so hard
could not was a blatant slap in the face from the government.
The suffrage ties to the temperance movement gained them both a great many
supporter and some enemies. As the suffragettes were seen as ?unwomanly? this linking
of crusades brought them back tot he home and religion aspects that they were said to
have forgotten in their quest for political power. The Women?s Christian Temperance
Union endorsed suffrage and this helped them because this made the e suffrage movement
seem less radical. Through their joining with the Union, the suffragettes also made
powerful enemy in the liquor industry who considered that women suffrage was a threat to
be stopped at all costs.
In 1890 The Unity was restored and the NWSA and the AWSA joined together to
form the National American Woman Suffrage Association. Elizabeth Cat Stanton was
elected President and Susan B Anthony was elected Vice President. Anthony would take
over the presidency from 1892-1900. This united the campaigning forces and redoubled
the efforts.
The Suffrage Movement has historically been linked with abolition. This was not
always the case, the first strategy of the women?s movement was to appeal to the South .
The suffragists argued that the adoption of women suffrage with educational or property
qualifications that would disqualify most black women, would allow the South to restore
white supremacy in politics without having to disfranchise black men and risk
Congressional repercussions. This was the tact taken by the NAWSA from 1895-1903.
They held the 1985 NAWSA convention in Atlanta, and asked that their longtime partner,
Frederick Douglas to stay away. By 1903 is was obvious that this strategy had failed,
because the southern politicians refused to cower behind petticoats. After 903 The
movement recognized the need for universal women suffrage even across racial barriers
and became active in the black rights crusade s well.
The Progressive Movement which began around 1900 became important for the
suffragettes. The section that supported Progressive reforms realized that women?s votes
could help them secure these reforms Many labor unions became advocates of suffrage
during this time. Because of this they gained more enemies, not only was the liquor
industry against them, so was the cotton textile industry from the south.
In 1911, the strong opposition came into play. This began the formation of The
National Association Opposed to Women Suffrage. This Association included many
wealthy influential women and some Catholic clergy men.
IN 1912 Alice Paul returned from England and began the radical movement
toward suffrage. Some of her tactics included burning President Wilson?s wartime
speeches in rallies in front of the White House. On March 3 1913 Alice Paul organized a
suffrage parade that was held in Washington. The publicity from this even provides
further momentum for the suffrage campaign. It was held the day before President
Wilson?s inauguration . When the incumbent arrived at the train station in Washington his
welcoming party was scanty because the majority of people were over on Pennsylvania
Ave. watching the suffragettes demonstrate.
WW1 slows the efforts on many levels. The suffragettes push the issue of
becoming involved in war work. They believe that this will make them seem as thought
they are more patriotic and perhaps give them more leeway with the government,. It also
slowed up the movement because of the implications of war time law.. In January 1917,
American activists began to picket the White House peacefully. Four months later,
Congress voted to take the country into war. (The first woman elected to Congress,
Jeanette Rankin of Montana voted against the war resolution) At this point, peaceful
picketing became treason. Suffragists carried signs questioning whether the United States
could truly lead a crusade for democracy if its own women were disenfranchised for this
they were assaulted by crowds and arrested by police. Ultimately almost three hundred
women, representing are truly extraordinary range of individuals, from munitions workers
to wives of Congressmen, were arrested for civil disobedience. As the number of arrests
and length of sentences increased, jailed suffragists fought back with hunger strikes and
demands that they be treated as political prisoners. Prison officials responded with painful
?forced feeding,” using a tube running through the nose into the stomach. In November
1917, Alice Paul herself was arrested and placed in the prison?s psychopathic ward.
However, the arrests actually increased public pressure to solve the suffrage issue.
Governmental intimidation were not the only players women had to contend with.
There was also the issues of the individual women, aside form the group. Although this
was called a ?bloodless revolution? and no one lost a life, there was also a slew of violence
that is not often mentioned in history. Women who joined the movement were often fired
and blackballed from their jobs. They were beaten during demonstrations and even when
not demonstrating. Their houses were vandalized and signs were put out in their yards,
there were a few cases of burning crosses, when the movement because involved with
abolition. Then there were the more horrifying cases of rape, and savagery with in
marriages. Husbands of women in the movement if they were not supportive would often
use spousal abuse and inter-marital rape to force the women to drop out of the protest.
This was an effective method of diminishing the movements numbers.
Finally, all the campaigning paid off. In the summer of 1919 the nineteenth
amendment passes both the house and the senate. After a few more years of campaigning,
on August 26 the Nineteenth Amendment was adopted after the thirty-six states ratify it.
The struggle for suffrage was an important one because it showed that through
peaceful protest one can obtain political power. Perhaps it was only because they were
women that they were not put down by the government, but in any event they
accomplished an important feat that took precedent for the women?s movement for
centuries to come.
Другие работы по теме:
Koran Essay Research Paper The Koran or
Koran Essay, Research Paper The Koran or Qur’an is the sacred scripture of Islam. A scripture so sacred it urges a total commitment to him alone who is god. (Grolier Interactive 98). I found that
Women And Shopping Essay Research Paper What
Women And Shopping Essay, Research Paper What motivates women to shop? I attempted to answer the age old question by surveying five ladies who are self-proclaimed experts at the “art” of shopping. These five ladies, Joanne, Kim, Marie, Shirley, and Kimmie sat down with me individually and this is what I basically gathered from the discussion sessions.
Chartist Women Essay Research Paper In the
Chartist Women Essay, Research Paper In the beginning of Anna Clark’s essay, “Manhood, Womanhood, and the Politics of Class in Britain, 1790-1845,” she describes to the reader how the British political system was set up before the Chartists were formed. The upper and middle-classes were the groups with the political authority and the working-class and peasants had nothing politically.
Was There A Link Between Women
’s Suffrage And Education In The Early 20Th Century Essay, Research Paper Was There A Link Between Women s Education and Their Right To Vote? During the woman’s rights movement one of the major concerns people had
Woments Rights Essay Research Paper t was
Woments Rights Essay, Research Paper t was long ago when women were looked upon as slaves to the hard Working, man. In today’s society women now are more respected and are acceptable for many jobs as
Women In Politics Essay Research Paper During
Women In Politics Essay, Research Paper During the revolutionary era, American leaders decided to use economic boycotts in their struggle against Britain. The goal of these boycotts was to stop the purchase of imported goods
Lucy Stone Essay Research Paper Equality for
Lucy Stone Essay, Research Paper Equality for Woman Lucy Stone was one of the most important workers for suffrage and other women’s rights. Born in 1818 on a farm in Massachusetts, Lucy grew up with an overbearing father that ruled the house and her mother “by divine right.” She was disquieted by her mother’s lowly role in the family.
Gender Essay Research Paper On July 19
Gender Essay, Research Paper On July 19, 1848, one of the most important conventions for womens’ rights was held in Seneca Falls, New York. This was the first convention of the kind ever held. Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony were the main hosts. Their purpose was to convince the American citizens, men and women, of the inequality of women s current position in the American society.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton Essay Research Paper Elizabeth
Elizabeth Cady Stanton Essay, Research Paper Elizabeth Cady Stanton Elizabeth Cady Stanton was born in 1815 to the affluent parents Daniel and Mary Livingston Cady in Jamestown, NY. Cady’s parents made it obvious that they preferred sons to daughters when they showed their mutual displeasure of the birth of the Elizabeth’s younger sister.
LUCY STONE Essay Research Paper Lucy Stone
LUCY STONE Essay, Research Paper Lucy Stone (1818 ? 1893) By: Meghan Monokian Well I, Lucy Stone am mostly known for being one of the most famous leaders for women’s rights in the United States. I came to be known as one of the most outspoken women of my time. I had firm beliefs against slavery and rejected the Biblical stand that men should rule over women.
Abortion Essay Research Paper There are many
Abortion Essay, Research Paper There are many women who have choices to make in life that can be difficult or easy. One very difficult decision is whether or not to terminate a pregnancy. Most people should think before they act. If a woman has to terminate a pregnancy, it is because she wasn’t planning to get pregnant or because she did not use birth control.
Islamic Women Essay Research Paper Many times
Islamic Women Essay, Research Paper Many times when feminists looked at Islamic women they criticized the man for not treating women properly. However, as Jane I. Smith states, women of Islam are not really offended by that fact, on the contrary, they believe that it is better for them.
Reiters Syndome Essay Research Paper Equal Rights
Reiters Syndome Essay, Research Paper Equal Rights for Women During the nineteenth century, the women suffrage movement was coming out full force to demand the equal rights of women in the United States and Europe. The women who supported the women’s suffrage adapted a Declaration of Principles that simply stated that, “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men and women are created equal” (Perry, 1995, p.194).
Women Sufferage Essay Research Paper History EssayDuring
Women Sufferage Essay, Research Paper History Essay During the last 4 months, I?ve studied a lot about Canadian history and come across many great historical events that have shaped Canadian identity. The two most defining moments between the years 1900 to 2000 were women?s suffrage which was an issue to determine if women should have the right to vote or not.
Feminist Movement Essay Research Paper It was
Feminist Movement Essay, Research Paper It was in the mid-1800s when the first signs of the feminist movement came about. In 1861, a man named John Stuart Mill wrote The Subjection of Women, which
Women In War Essay Research Paper Women
Women In War Essay, Research Paper Women in War and How They Made a Difference Women who served in past wars were considered heroines, and were presented with many different, honorable awards. Women served many purposes during the war. Such as: nurses who amputated and helped soldiers, translators who spoke for the French, telephone operators who connected important phone calls to different places, and many more non-combat roles.
The Prevalence Of Breast Cancer Among Black
Women Essay, Research Paper Exploring the Growth of Breast Cancer Among African American Women Breast cancer develops as an abnormal growth of cells accumulate within the breast. Recent studies have proven that White
Delinquent Daughters Summary Essay Research Paper Delinquent
Delinquent Daughters Summary Essay, Research Paper ?Delinquent Daughters Summary? Delinquent Daughters by Mary E. Odem touches on many topics involving women residing in the U.S. from 1885 to 1920. Not only does the book raise issues about women as a whole, but also it breaks the women into a more realistic view.
Womans Sufferage Essay Research Paper Women Suffrage
Womans Sufferage Essay, Research Paper Women Suffrage in Seneca Falls continued In the 1870 Anthony campaigned for women s suffrage for in the West. Anthony and her three sisters and another woman was arrested in Rochester in 1872 for voting. Anthony refused to pay her cab fare to the police station because she was “traveling under protest at the expense of the government.” She refused to pay bail and applied for habeas corpus, but her lawyer paid the bail, keeping the case from the supreme court.
The Women Essay Research Paper The women
The Women Essay, Research Paper The women’s suffrage party fought for years on the right to vote. They weren’t going to stop until they got their right. For instance, Alice Paul organized a parade through Washington D.C. on inauguration day, which supported women’s suffrage and also picketed the White House for 18 months.
Womens Suffrage Essay Research Paper After the
Womens Suffrage Essay, Research Paper After the Civil War many male abolitionists voiced fears that the demands of women suffragists might impede the campaign to gain voting rights for male ex-slaves. The issue came to a head in 1868, when the abolitionists pressed for a constitutional amendment including all Americans regardless of race, creed, or color.
Woman Suffrage Essay Research Paper The women
Woman Suffrage Essay, Research Paper The women’s suffrage movement began in 1848 when a group of women met in Seneca Falls New York. These women issued what became known as the Declaration
Womens Rights Essay Research Paper The First
Womens Rights Essay, Research Paper The First Women?s Rights Movement Was their fight successful? A group of women set out to make a point. A point that women don?t have to be dependent on men; that they can live their own lives with their own individual rights and beliefs. All these women wanted was a chance to live a life free of the constant pressures and contradictions.
Women S Condition In The Work Essay
, Research Paper women s condition in the work place during reconstruction in 1900 Before the civil war, women s roles in the home had been glorified. In the late 19th century a middle to upper class woman felt as though she needed to make her home a place away from the excitement and distraction of the outside world to kep her children safe and husbands rested.
Antigone Essay Research Paper Analysis on the
Antigone Essay, Research Paper Analysis on the conflict men v. women found in Antigone Many conflicts can be found within various plays. In Sophocles’ Antigone one of the many conflicts found is men versus women. The king of Thebes, Creon, has a problem with women. But not only the king, Ismene, Antigone’s sister as well refers to herself and her sister as being inferior to men.
Women Pioneers Essay Research Paper A Journey
Women Pioneers Essay, Research Paper A Journey Through Hardship The pioneer women didn?t have many rights at all. They were pretty much always controlled by the men, and weren?t ?allowed? to do anything on their own. They had to obey all men and if they were married, that made it even harder for them. The women were mainly responsible for caring for the kids, taking care of the crops and keeping the house neat; health, food, and family.
WomenS Rights Essay Research Paper Womens Rights
Women?S Rights Essay, Research Paper Women?s Rights, rights that establish the same social, economic, and political status for women as for men. Women?s rights guarantee that women will not face discrimination on the basis of their sex. Until the second half of the 20th century, women in most societies were denied some of the legal and political rights accorded to men.
Human Rights Essay Research Paper Human RightsThroughout
Human Rights Essay, Research Paper Human Rights Throughout history, people?s human rights have been violated, but efforts have also been made to address the violations, and protect their rights. Human rights are rights as regarded as belonging fundamentally to all persons. Today, everyone is entitled to the same rights.
How Were Women Treated In Julius Caesars
Time Essay, Research Paper Essay: How Were Women Treated in Julius Caesar’s Time? By: Andrew MillardWe are always striving for equality between the sexes. For many years women were seen as being less than men, and inferior to them. This is shown simply by one history-altering incident. The incident that I’m referring to is when the women were finally allowed to vote.
Men And Women Are Different Essay Research
Paper Men and Women Different? Are women and men really that different? I think so. I am at a stage in my life where I think all men are after one thing. Sex. When I sit here and think about it, I really have to think, do women and men have anything in common. Women communicate in a completely different manner than women.
Symbols Of Women Essay Research Paper Symbols
Symbols Of Women Essay, Research Paper Symbols of Women There are many symbols placed on women in today’s society. These symbols act as stereotypes that usually degrade women on a daily basis. However, many of these symbols are just a term, and have no meaning behind them. An example of this is the reference of women being referred to as “dogs.”