American Suffragists and the Battle for the Ballot

Votes for Women!: American Suffragists and the Battle for the Ballot

by Winifred Conkling

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	14184 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	303 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

The American suffragists were a group of women who fought for the right to vote. Their struggle began in the mid-19th century and continued for over 70 years, until they finally achieved their goal in 1920 with the passage of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

The suffragists faced a great deal of opposition from both men and women. Many people believed that women were not capable of voting intelligently and that they should stay home and take care of their families. Others argued that women did not need the vote because they were already represented by their husbands and fathers.

Despite these obstacles, the suffragists persevered. They organized rallies and protests, they lobbied politicians, and they even went on hunger strikes. Slowly but surely, they began to make progress. In 1869, the Wyoming Territory became the first place in the United States to grant women the right to vote. Other states soon followed suit, and by 1919, women had the right to vote in 36 states.

The final victory came in 1920, when the 19th Amendment was passed by Congress and ratified by the states. This amendment gave women the right to vote in all federal elections. It was a hard-fought victory, but it was a major milestone in the fight for women's rights.

Key Figures in the Suffrage Movement

Some of the most important figures in the suffrage movement include:

• Susan B. Anthony was one of the most prominent suffragists of the 19th century. She founded the National Woman Suffrage Association in 1869 and worked tirelessly for the right to vote until her death in 1906.
• Elizabeth Cady Stanton was another leading suffragist. She co-founded the National Woman Suffrage Association with Susan B. Anthony and wrote the Declaration of Sentiments, which called for equal rights for women.
• Lucy Stone was a radical suffragist who believed that women should have the same rights as men. She founded the American Woman Suffrage Association in 1869 and worked to achieve suffrage through state-by-state campaigns.
• Alice Paul was a young suffragist who founded the National Woman's Party in 1916. She led a series of protests and hunger strikes that helped to bring about the passage of the 19th Amendment.

The Legacy of the Suffragists

The suffragists left a lasting legacy on the United States. Their struggle for the right to vote paved the way for women to achieve full citizenship and equal rights. Today, women are active in all aspects of American society, from politics to business to education. They have made significant contributions to our country and continue to fight for a more just and equitable world.

Votes for Women!: American Suffragists and the Battle for the Ballot

by Winifred Conkling

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	14184 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	303 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE