Women's Suffrage Movement Research Paper

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From the late 1800s until 1920, a movement known as the Women's Suffrage Movement was formed by influential women who challenged gender roles and advocated for equal rights. The main goal of the movement was to gain the right to vote, which would allow women to elect political leaders who aligned with their beliefs and values. Women socially were seen as inferior to men and therefore were unable to educate themselves and become independent. As a result, women began to protest and advocate to be socially equal to men. Leaders involved in the Women's Suffrage Movement encouraged an increase in the passing of laws that protected women's rights rather than favoring men. The issue of inequality has been an ongoing topic in the history of the United …show more content…

Some argued that women lacked the mental capacity to hold such power as vote or run for office. While others argued that women did not want to vote, they were so busy in their homes. Before any organization was formed many anti-suffragists took action through newspapers, political cartoons, and churches. This constant backlash weakened the ability of women to be heard and supported. In Allison Lange’s article, she states, "In the 1880s, anti-suffrage activists joined together and eventually became known as the Massachusetts Association Opposed to the Further Extension of Suffrage to Women.” (Lange). This explains the extent to which opposition grew during the time. Nevertheless, women pursued their cause and even fought with some men who had the same moral views. During the 1850s, the women’s rights movement continued to grow in support but faced setbacks when the Civil War began in 1861. This was because of the split opinions concerning women's rights compared to African American rights. Both groups wanted to be equal but some white suffragists were against the idea of African Americans being equal to them and were concerned that the attention would be pulled away from the women's rights …show more content…

The Women's Rights Movement accomplished what the suffragists wanted (freedom to vote) and helped create amendments that helped everyone, regardless of race, have the same rights. The major accomplishment of the Women’s Suffrage Movement was the right to vote, by 1896, women had gained the right to vote in four states (Wyoming, Colorado, Idaho, and Utah). Women and women's organizations also worked on behalf of many social and reform issues. Which was finally enforced on August 18, 1920, when the 19th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified on November 2 of that year, more than 8 million women across the United States voted in elections for the first time (Onion). Another major accomplishment of the movement was the growing number of women in the workforce. This growth helped empower women to obtain jobs and help create more independent women for centuries to come. Therefore, engaging the next generations to continue fighting for equality. The Women's Suffrage Movement during the 1800s into 1920 empowered women by giving them the right to vote, become a candidate, and be more independent separate from their male

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