The 1900s marked the beginning of the Progressive Era, a period of widespread social activism and political reform that brought about significant social change. This era also provided an opportunity for women to speak and protest against their lack of access to education and employment, wanting equality in every aspect of life. However, despite the activism of the Progressive Era, women continued to be denied the right to vote in many states. Denial was fueled by arguments of women "lack of expertise and mental capacity", reflecting deeply ingrained gender biases. In many states, women were not given the right to suffrage until 1920, when the 19th Amendment was finally ratified. Alice Stone Blackwell served as the editor of the Woman's Journal, …show more content…
One of the key ways she used logic was by refuting common objections to women's suffrage. In her writings, Blackwell addressed arguments against suffrage with reasoned counterarguments, aiming to demonstrate the rationality and fairness of granting women the right to vote. Blackwell counters the argument of women being too emotional, using a rhetorical question, “Was it hard common sense to send thousands of American soldiers... to rescue a few hundred American citizens?” Her statement challenged the idea that women lacked reason and judgment by reminding them that men had made impulsive, emotionally driven decisions in the past. Blackwell's words were intended to demonstrate that both genders could make decisions based on emotions and that women would not be any more influenced by their feelings than men. Alice Stone Blackwell states “It is fair and right, and that those who must pay the taxes should have a voice as to the amount of the tax, and how the money shall be spent.” She refers to this to appeal to the fundamental democratic foundation of “no taxation without representation”. Arguing that since women pay taxes, like men, they should also have the equal right to create laws that are enforced by the
The Progressive Era was during the 1890s to the 1920s. During this time many different groups of people made advancements. There were negative and positive outcomes to these advancements. Two groups of people that advanced during the Progressive Era were business owners and women. Today, woman are still trying to progress.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men and women are created equal.” (Elizabeth, 1815). The 19th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States gave women a right to vote as well as men. The movement to give the right to vote for women through the 19th Amendment was a Suffrage movement. The Suffrage movement had continued since the Civil War, but the 13th, 14th and 15th amendment (it is related to the right to citizen) did not cover the right to vote for women. The 19th Amendment and the Suffrage movement have changed the lives of women in society.
The 1890s-1920s is what is referred to today as the Progressive Era. This was a time in which many people rose to push their beliefs and create a better future for America. These people called themselves progressives and they would make America the place we know today. They addressed important issues such as women’s rights, working conditions, and temperance. One such reformer was a woman named Mary Harris Jones. Mary Jones, later known as Mother Jones, was one of the most successful and effective progressive reformers of all time due to her experiences, work in labor agitation, and effective speeches.
During the Progressive Era, pressure from labor, suffrage, and conservation movements profoundly changed the course of American history. Many of the reformers' ideas clashed with the male-dominated, capitalist economic structure present at the turn of the century. Some of the intended reforms opposed the current system, but the level of social unrest necessitated change. Businessmen and activists alike initiated the reforms during the Progressive Era. Government, due to the intention of calming the common man and quieting the seemingly more and more vocal middle class, supported them. In the final analysis, from the year 1900 to 1920, Progressive Era reformers were successful in bringing about reform to the United States.
The Progressive Era was a time of great reforms in government and in factories. There were a few different forms of Progressivism: the muckrakers (from a character in John Bunyan's book Pilgrim's Progress) were the type of Progressives who exposed corruption. For example, Collier's and McClure's journalists, some of them secretly went as far as moving into the slums to get the full sense of what life was like for the downtrodden, and shed light on what the slumlords were allowing to happen in their buildings. Women's Suffragists were progressive, as well, they picketed, wrote letters, to officials at all levels of government, staged women's suffrage parades, sent out pamphlets, and made speeches to anyone who would listen, and eventually, in halls of government, in from of Congress. One other type of progressive was those who were for the temperance movement (their goal was to ban alcohol, they saw it as corrupting society).
By the time period of 1900-1920 America was almost fully industrialized. At this time, America was going through a Gilded Age where everything looked good on the outer perspective however on the inside, there were many issues within society. The Progressive Era consisted of people who wanted to reform society politically, socially, and economically. Progressive reformers and the federal government were successful in bringing about reform at the national level by gaining some women's rights as well as African Americans trying to better their reputation in society, improving working conditions, and fixing the American economy.
In August 18, 1920, the U.S. Constitution Granted U.S. women a right. That was the right of vote. In American history women had no right to vote or be part of government. They were born to be at home and do the house choir and motherhood. They had no right to educate or go out, thus the 19th amendment was approved that gave the women the right to vote (Matthew, 2017). Having the right of votes for women was not easy. It was given to them after years of fighting and struggling, after fighting and protesting so long for their rights they were finally victorious. Women in America were finally given their rights. One of the most important freedom given to women in 19th amendment is their rights. This essay will investigate how women were given the right to be equality, the right to vote and be part of government, and also, how this amendment affected the lives of women.
The turn of the century was marked by a movement known as the Progressive Era, during which many groups sought to reshape the nation's government and society in response to the pressure of urbanization and industrialization. Progressives were mainly members of the Post-Civil War generation that made an attempt to master a world much different then that of their parents.
The Progressive Era (1890 - 1920). " The Progressive Era (1890 - 1920). n.p., n.d., n.d.
During the Progressive Era from 1900-1920 the reformers were not very successful at bringing about reform at the national level. These reformers had worked more closely with the federal government than ever before and made some significant gains. In the period of 1900-1920 the progressive era focused on labor, trust, women’s rights and bad sanitation. With the help of the federal government they were able to achieve most of their goals.
In the 1890s, American women emerged as a major force for social reform. Millions joined civic organizations and extended their roles from domestic duties to concerns about their communities and environments. These years, between 1890 and 1920, were a time of many social changes that later became known as the Progressive Era. In this time era, millions of Americans organized associations to come up with solutions to the many problems that society was facing, and many of these problems were staring American women right in the face.
(Ranger). “Progressives believed, as their name implies, in the idea of progress” (Brinkley 477). Progressivism developed as a political party when both Democrats and Republicans became frustrated with their own political parties. The Progressive Era was the period in history from 1890 – 1920 centralized around the ideals of reforming social, political, economic and environmental issues within the United States. “The Progressive Movement was led by male and female Progressives from all walks of society including: members of the Republican and Democrat political parties, well educated
The Progressive Era was a time period between the years 1900-1920 and it marked a time in American history in which society was bursting with enthusiasm to improve life in the industrial age by making political and social changes through government action that ultimately led to a higher quality of life for American citizens. Progressives were known for their beliefs in limiting the power of big business, strengthening the power of the states, and were advocators against corruption and social injustice. These progressive reformers as well as the Federal Government successfully managed to improve the quality of life and establish a precedent for a move active government, although neither was completely successful in solving significant issues the nation faced.
The progressive era was a time of reform from the late nineteenth century until the end of World War I. During the progressive era the way the public looked at consumer safety was greatly affected. The people wanted to stop government corruption and end women’s suffrage. The progressive era also limited the consumption of alcohol while doing some major conservation. The progressive era was a very productive and affective time for America because the people demanded consumer safety, an end to government corruption, and women a right to vote while limiting alcohol use and conserving the environment.
One argument in favour of women shows pictures of what men could be: A convict, lunatic, owner of white slaves, unfit for service and a drunkard. This portrayed men as being responsible, but they still could vote. Then it shows what women could achieve: Mayor, nurse, mother doctor or teacher or a factory hand, which showed them as responsible but they still couldn't the vote.1 Men's attitude towards women during the First World War was still negative. The ability of women to take on the roles of men meant that increasing numbers of men were vulnerable to conscription.2 The women were told that they couldn't vote because they weren't fighting for their country. They couldn't fight because they weren't allowed to.