American Women Dbq

Between 1890 and 1925 the position of American women was altered forever due to the developments in the political and economic areas of America, along with the assumptions about women. Events such as the Great War, which led to the absences of men working in factories, gave women opportunities to expand their activity in the economy, and new technological advancements in housework gave women free time to pursue educations. American women experienced a wide variety of impacts.

Political developments affected the position of women such as the 19th amendment which gave women the right to vote, and the Adkins v Children's hospital case which revoked extra restrictions to women in the workplace. E. W. Gustin illustrates what would happen if the 19th Amendment was active in his cartoon “Election Day” which depicts a woman leaving her presumed husband to take care of the children and clean the house while she goes and votes. (E) This is important because the right to vote afforded to women in the 19th amendment transformed the position of

American women by giving them a voice which pushed women forward in American society forever. Furthermore, in the Supreme Court case, Adkins v Children’s Hospital, it was decided that women should not be given restrictions in the workplace that their male counterparts did not get. (H) This decision pushed the idea that not all women were fragile and needed to be protected, but that they were strong and could protect themselves. furthermore, these developments lead to the altering of the belief that women were fragile, simple-minded creatures that needed to be protected and could not think for themselves, to strong, independent working women.
Secondly, economic developments affected the position of American women, such as recognition in their jobs which gave them more opportunities, but also gaining economic independence over time.

Susan B Anthony states that women had opportunities to receive “commendation” instead of “condemnation”.(A) This shows how women were beginning to be accepted in the workplace and could become economically active with their jobs. Additionally, Charlotte Perkins Gilman argues that women will grow and become stronger, economically independent, and more active in society.(D) This is important because it shows how women are becoming stronger and economically independent as society changes. Therefore women becoming accepted in workplaces, becoming economically independent, and active gave women opportunities that were not afforded to them before such, as chances to rise up in workplaces and opportunities to buy and affect the

economy.
Thirdly changes in assumptions about women such as women receiving praise in the workplace instead of criticism, and women not being restricted in the hours they take in the workplace. Susan B Anthony states that women can now receive “commendation” instead of “condemnation” in their field of work.(A) This redirected the assumption that women were unable to work as good as a man and that they could now work just as good or even better. In addition,in the Adkins v Children's Hospital, it was decided that women should not be restricted if their male counterparts were not going to be as well.(H) This supreme court case pushed the idea that women can work just as good as a man can. Additionally, these events such as the Adkins v Children's hospital case and workplace recognition transformed what people thought women were capable of, such as from being a quiet housewife to a strong working woman.
Furthermore these events such as the great war and the 19th amendment lead to a better state of equality between women and men. Such as women being accepted in jobs, given the right to vote, and changing the idea that women were not as capable as men. In conclusion American women experienced a wide variety of innovations between 1890 to 1925 which overall transformed the belief that women can not speak for themselves or work, to that of strong independent working women.