The Women’s Suffrage Movement

Why?

• Why is this important?

Susan B. Anthony

• Quaker, abolitionist, temperance advocate, and women’s rights leader

• Led the National Woman Suffrage Association

• Practiced Civil Disobedience• Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Lucy

Stone were crucial in the formation of National American Women Suffrage Association (NAWSA)

Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Suffrage at the Turn of the Century

• By 1900 women could buy, sell, and will property

• Bradwell vs. Illinois – “wide difference in the respective spheres and destinies of men and women”- said the court in 1873 Denied Mary Bradwell license to practice law

• Anti-Suffrage arguments– Women had enough rights– Women would become more masculine– Temperance movement would dominate

government

Opposition

Suffrage Strategies

Constitutional• Amending the

constitution• 2/3 of each house• 3/4 of state

legislatures• First try 1868-1896• Stalled repeatedly

until it was thrown out in 1913

State Level• Lobby individual

states• Successful

especially in the west

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAWrogers.htm

Two Women Leaders

Carrie Chapman Catt• Former principal • Outstanding

speaker • Two time leader of

the NAWSA• Believed in slow

precinct by precinct political work

Alice Paul• Witnessed the

aggressive English progressive movement

• Targeted constitutional amendment

• Formed the Congressional Union

Carrie C. Catt and Alice Paul

Two Movements

Congressional Union

Alice Paul• Militant change• Burned Wilson’s

speeches• Hunger strikes• Were arrested and

jailed

NAWSA• In 1915 Catt was

given free reign to bring about victory

• “Winning Plan” – full time workers work push eastern states for 6 years

http://www.learningcurve.gov.uk/britain1906to1918/g4/cs1/g4cs1s6.htm

19th Amendment

• World War I women hasten to do their patriotic duty

• 18th Amendment passed outlawing liquor

– Liquor advocates back down

• 1920 - the 19th Amendment ratified

• 19th Amendment marks the last Progressive Reform

Other Amendments

• 16th- established an income tax

• 17th- direct election of senators