Women in the United States won the right to vote through a long and determined struggle that culminated in the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1920. Here's a summary of how they achieved it:
1. Early Activism and Organization
- Seneca Falls Convention (1848): The first women's rights convention was held in Seneca Falls, New York, organized by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott. The "Declaration of Sentiments" was issued, demanding women's suffrage along with other rights.
- Formation of Suffrage Groups: Over the decades, numerous organizations formed to fight for the vote. The National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA), led by Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and the American Woman Suffrage Association (AWSA), led by Lucy Stone, worked in parallel. These groups eventually merged in 1890 to form the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA), led by Carrie Chapman Catt.
2. State-by-State Campaign
- Many suffragists focused on gaining the right to vote state by state, especially in the Western U.S. Wyoming became the first state to grant women full voting rights in 1869. By 1918, 15 states had granted women the right to vote, showing progress but also the limitations of a state-by-state approach.
3. More Militant Tactics
- In the early 1900s, suffragists like Alice Paul and Lucy Burns pushed for more aggressive strategies. They formed the National Woman's Party (NWP) and adopted direct actions, such as protests, picketing the White House, and hunger strikes.
- These efforts helped raise public awareness and placed pressure on political leaders.
4. World War I and Changing Perceptions
- The role women played during World War I, working in factories, serving as nurses, and taking on other jobs traditionally held by men, helped change public opinion. President Woodrow Wilson eventually expressed his support for women’s suffrage, partly due to the contribution of women to the war effort.
5. The 19th Amendment
- The 19th Amendment was introduced in Congress in 1878 but was repeatedly rejected. After decades of activism, it passed both houses of Congress in 1919. The amendment was then sent to the states for ratification.
- The amendment stated: "The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex."
- After intense lobbying and state campaigns, the amendment was ratified on August 18, 1920, when Tennessee became the 36th state to approve it, meeting the required number for it to become law.
6. Legacy
The ratification of the 19th Amendment marked a significant victory for the women's suffrage movement, securing the right to vote for women nationwide. While it was a historic triumph, it’s important to note that many women of color faced continued disenfranchisement due to racial discrimination and Jim Crow laws, and their fight for voting rights continued well into the 20th century.
The suffragists' work helped lay the foundation for future civil rights movements, and their legacy continues to inspire activism for equality today.
Key Events
Seneca Falls Convention (1848)- The first women’s rights convention, held in Seneca Falls, New York, where women formally demanded the right to vote and called for equal treatment under the law.
- A period of intense activism in Britain, during which suffragettes engaged in both peaceful demonstrations and more militant actions like window-smashing and hunger strikes.
- In the United States, the movement culminated in the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote.
Tactics and Impact
Militancy vs. Moderation
- The suffragette movement saw a split between those who favored militant tactics (like the Pankhursts in Britain and Alice Paul in the U.S.) and those who believed in more moderate, legalistic approaches (like Millicent Fawcett in Britain and Carrie Chapman Catt in the U.S.). Both approaches were crucial in bringing attention to women's rights.
- Suffragettes, when imprisoned, often went on hunger strikes to protest their treatment. The government responded with forced feeding, which drew public outrage and furthered the cause.
- In both Britain and the U.S., large marches and parades were organized to demand suffrage, often drawing thousands of women and supporters.
The Suffragette Movement left a lasting legacy in the fight for women’s rights, influencing later feminist movements and continuing to inspire activists worldwide.