The Story of the Women's Suffrage Movement in America

The women's suffrage movement in America was a long and arduous struggle that spanned over several decades. It was a fight for the fundamental right to vote, a right that was denied to women for centuries. But despite the challenges they faced, the women's suffrage movement ultimately prevailed, and in 1920, the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, granting women the right to vote.

How Women Got the Vote: The Story of the Women's Suffrage Movement in America (Annotated)

by Carolyn Collins

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	165 KB
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Screen Reader	:	Supported
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The Early Years

The roots of the women's suffrage movement can be traced back to the early days of the American republic. In 1776, Abigail Adams wrote a famous letter to her husband, John Adams, urging him to "remember the ladies" in the new government he was helping to establish. But despite her plea, women were not granted the right to vote in the new Constitution.

In the early 19th century, a number of women's rights activists began to emerge, including Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Lucretia Mott. These women founded the National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA) in 1869, and they began to campaign for the right to vote.

The Civil War and Reconstruction

The Civil War and Reconstruction era was a time of great social upheaval, and it helped to galvanize the women's suffrage movement. As women played an increasingly active role in the war effort, they began to question why they were denied the right to vote.

After the Civil War, the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, granting African American men the right to vote. This prompted many women's rights activists to argue that if African American men could vote, then women should also have the right to vote.

The Late 19th Century

In the late 19th century, the women's suffrage movement continued to gain momentum. In 1890, the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) was founded, and it became the leading organization in the fight for women's suffrage.

NAWSA organized protests, lobbied Congress, and worked to educate the public about the importance of women's suffrage. The movement also gained support from a number of prominent figures, including President Theodore Roosevelt and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt.

The Early 20th Century

In the early 20th century, the women's suffrage movement reached its peak. In 1913, Alice Paul founded the Congressional Union for Woman Suffrage (CUWS),which later became the National Woman's Party (NWP). The NWP used more militant tactics, including picketing the White House and going on hunger strikes.

The NWP's tactics were controversial, but they helped to bring the issue of women's suffrage to the forefront of public debate. In 1917, Congress passed the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, granting women the right to vote.

The 19th Amendment

The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified on August 18, 1920, and it granted women the right to vote. This was a major victory for the women's suffrage movement, and it marked a turning point in the history of women's rights in America.

The ratification of the 19th Amendment was the culmination of decades of struggle and activism by women's rights activists. It was a hard-fought victory, but it was a victory that ultimately changed the course of American history.

The women's suffrage movement in America was a long and arduous struggle, but it was ultimately a successful one. The ratification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1920 granted women the right to vote, and it marked a major turning point in the history of women's rights in America.

The women's suffrage movement is a testament to the power of perseverance and activism. It is a story of women who fought for their rights and who ultimately prevailed. The legacy of the women's suffrage movement continues to inspire today, and it serves as a reminder that anything is possible if we are willing to fight for it.

Annotated Bibliography

• Anthony, Susan B., and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. The History of Woman Suffrage. 4 vols. New York: Fowler & Wells, 1881-1902.

  This four-volume work is a comprehensive history of the women's suffrage movement in America. It is an essential resource for anyone interested in learning more about the movement.

• Flexner, Eleanor. Century of Struggle: The Woman's Rights Movement in the United States. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1959.

  This book provides a detailed account of the women's suffrage movement in America. It is a well-written and well-researched book that is essential reading for anyone interested in the movement.

• Goldman, Emma. Anarchism and Other Essays. New York: Mother Earth Publishing Association, 1910.

  This book contains a collection of essays by Emma Goldman, a leading anarchist and feminist. Goldman was a strong supporter of women's suffrage, and her essays provide a valuable perspective on the movement.

• Kraditor, Aileen S. The Ideas of the Woman Suffrage Movement, 1890-1920. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 1965.

  This book explores the ideas and beliefs of the women's suffrage movement. It is a well-written and well-researched book that provides a valuable insight into the movement.

• Smith, Page. Daughters of the Promised Land: Women in American History. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1970.

  This book provides a comprehensive overview of the history of women in America. It includes a chapter on the women's suffrage movement that is well-written and well-researched.

How Women Got the Vote: The Story of the Women's Suffrage Movement in America (Annotated)

by Carolyn Collins

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	165 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	18 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE