The Womens Rights Movement and How Women Got the Vote - Essay Example

The Women’s Rights Movement and how women got the vote In the modern world, it is impossible to imagine one’s life without mutual respect between menand women. In particular, in the schools, universities or at the workplaces people got used to the fact that both genders are presented in an equal proportion with no discrimination evident. In a general sense, women have the same rights in political and social environment nowadays. Nevertheless, the historical development of USA shows that this contemporary situation took a long way to become the reality. In other words, women did not have the right to vote and express themselves for a long time. Actually, they even had no chance to be heard. In this context, the historical roots of the very opportunity to change this situation for females is analyzed. In particular, in this essay the early stage of social inequality, different attempts to change the situation, and concrete leaders and organizations that won the battle for change in Constitution are described. To start with, the evidence that women were preoccupied with their lower position in society is visible for the contemporary researches. In this context, Mary Wollstonecraft published her work Vindication of the Rights of Women in 1792. In fact, it was not widely popular; but, it gained enough support in America to appear for the second time. From the males’ perspective, the serious philosophic work appeared only 1861. It was created by John Stuart Mill and titled The Subjection of Women. Within its content, it provided an in-depth analysis of the women’s conditions in America in the nineteenth century. Nevertheless, the fact that it appeared only in the second half of the nineteenth century illustrates the fact that at the early stages of women’s movement it was acknowledged by females solely. In this context, traditional appreciation of women to be “non-persons” could not be overcome at the same manner as slavery within the formerly acknowledgement in American Revolution’s ideology. Consequently, the worst position in the earlier American society was taken by African-American women who had no rights at all comparing to the other women who were limited in their opportunities to gain financial independence. In addition, most of women were trapped in the religious initiation which stated that being in the subordinate position is the only right way to live a woman’s life. As for the strategies applied by women in the given circumstances, reformation of prostitution and imprisonment conditions were the important steps in the context of their moral raising. In other words, involvement of women into the social life with the help of these practices helped them to feel their importance and independence. In this context, women were involved in charity and communication with the outsiders. In fact, this let them realize the importance of overcoming inequality in the society in general not only in the case of gender. Moreover, in 1830s the specific temperance movement appeared as the anti-alcoholism demand. Further, it became connected with the insistence to get the right to divorce in case of inadequate behavior seen by husband; thus, it can be considered as the part of the whole women’s movement for rights. In fact, the nineteenth century transformations in terms of industrialization and urbanization deepened this feeling of isolation and misery within the society. At the same time, negative impact of industrialization be being visible in the separation and isolation was working for women also as they did not form the unified group at that times. Nevertheless, women’s personal strategies of church activism, club membership and reform movements were significant steps in order to develop the feminist sentiments in women of the nineteenth century. Furthermore, fight for education was also an important part of women’s empowerment in American society. In this context, the popularity of liberal ideals in political and philosophic areas of USA made it possible for women to hear in the university that each human being is born with the right to express themselves through the guaranteed by politicians laws. In particular, it enabled women to think that each human being has certain freedoms that are worth fighting for. Actually, the revolutionary step in this context was made by Oberlin College which decided to open its doors for everyone regardless to race or sex. In fact, in the minds of those who made this decision women were applied in order to teach them how to be a good wife in the subservient position. On the contrary, in practice this stage enabled women to get access to knowledge and discover that they deserve more than their society offers for them. For instance, Lucy Stone as one of the first graduates of Oberlin College became a leader in the movement for women to get vote. So, it is reasonable to state that education was crucially important for women as they got an opportunity to broaden their horizons and question their subservient position in the American society. Moreover, popularization of Protestant sects in general and Quaker faith in particular was also involved into the women’s empowerment in the early America. In fact, this new kind of religion stated that each person has an “inner light” regardless to the social position, appearance and internal features. Thus, it had the similar effect on the women’s consciousness as liberal education. In particular, it provided moral base to believe that woman is in equal position in front of God. Consequently, public effect of this knowledge was visible in increase of her self-esteem and confidence. In addition, Protestantism popularize an idea of equal and loving marriages which put into question the usefulness of subservient position of women before her husband. As a result of all above-mentioned social transformations, the real actions took place since the 1830s. In particular, the newspaper called Liberator appeared in this time and discovered its commitment to the women’s equality. In addition, Female Anti-Slavery Societies were fighting against abolitionism with the appearance of Angelina Grimke’s public letter entitled “An Appeal to the Christian Women of the South.” In fact, all these actions showed that women by the middle of the nineteenth century had managed to create an organized and unified movement. As for their methods, they had chosen to speak publicly in front of the whole American population regardless to gender; moreover, they showed respect to antislavery by creating interracial public performances. As the new stage of this public struggle, women’s right for suffrage appeared in 1848 during the meeting at Seneca Halls Convention. In particular, it incorporated previous demands to guarantee human rights for women and do not use weapon for this. So, the incentive to change the legal procedures in favor to women’s political rights appeared. The main leaders of this movement were Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott who stood at the beginning of National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA). Furthermore, with the appearance of Civil War this ideology within women’s movement had been turned by Julia Ward Howe into feminist-pacifist view. In particular, the very opportunity to meet women’s claims in a peaceful way should serve as a good example that no war is needed to leave better in peace, harmony, and equality. Moreover, she realized the grief of women (mothers, wives, and daughters) because of each unfair war in human history. So, she initiated “Women’s Peace Festival” in order to publicly acknowledge women’s feelings and opinion on Civil War. Actually, these events also served for people to realize that women have enough rights to participate in decision-making process in politics not only as mothers but as citizens and voters. Thus, by the end of the nineteenth century with the help of all this public work women were aware of all the peculiarities in internal politics, modern philosophic and religious insights, and military inventions. Nevertheless, further development of American history showed that politicians did not take into account women’s sentiments about the war. Actually, U.S. became involved in the Spanish War and in World War I. And so, women’s movement in America started to seek for support beyond the national borders. As a result of these efforts, International Council of Women (ICW) appeared in 1888 and International Woman Suffrage Alliance appeared in 1902. However, the real actions towards the proposal of Constitutional Amendment appeared only with the entering of USA in World War I. By having learned the lessons of previous wars, the president of National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) Carrie Chapman Catt decided to make an outstanding decision to join the war instead of opposing it. As a result of this action, the Constitutional Amendment appeared and women successfully joined the nationalist movement within the United States. In fact, during this historical period women’s organizations had proved that their passion was working for the sake of America; hence, their requirements were quickly satisfied by American politicians. In order to sum up, it is evident that women’s rights movement had a long way to prove that incentives created by its leaders were worth considering on the highest political level. At the very beginning, inequality of women in USA was widely supported by public institutions, political indifference, and moral ideal of subservience. So, it required the whole century for the steadily transformation of the whole American society. In fact, the key changes happened in the spheres of religion, education, and military status, which enabled women to realize that they are important members of the society and their voice should be heard in it. Read More