Primary Source Analysis: Why Women Should Vote, 1915

Women have fought strenuously and diligently to earn their suffrage and have an impact on their society as a whole. Women have yearned to have their voices heard and be able to speak up about their societal concerns specifically in politics. Fortunately, women were able to persist and strive for their ultimate goal: the right to vote, which was stated in the 19th amendment and ratified by three-fourths of the states on August 18, 1920. For women to have reached their goal, they had to go through many propagandas, campaigns, strikes, posters, and protests; however, some were not as persuasive as others. For instance, the poster shown in the document does not provide an empowering message to coax a person to allow women suffrage.

In the mid-1800s, many Americans had concerns about the issues occurring and the impact they made on the United States. To put an end to these numerous issues, many Americans decided to form groups, organizations, and also individuals. They would come up with a variety of strategies to make a change. One of the many issues was women rights. In the mid-1800s, women had a hard time being a woman back then.

Following the Gilded Age in the United States, (U.S.) where prices were high, working salary was low, political corruption was everywhere, child labor was brutal and women were suffering, came the period in history called the Progressive Era. The Progressive Era was a period of social activism and political reform that grew immensely from the 1890s to the 1920s to fix these problems. Although not every part of this progressive movement made big impacts, reformers and the federal government were mildly successful in bringing reform at a national level to correct some injustices such as working conditions, political corruption, child labor laws and women 's suffrage in American life. Doors to the Progressive Era fully opened through the book,

The ascension of the American economy has been imminent ever since the conclusion of the Spanish-American War. The Spanish-American War asserted the United States as a world superpower as the U.S., not only beat the Spanish, but also acquired many of her territories to kick off this new “American Empire”. The economic upsurge of the roaring twenties echoed this sentiment. After a major victory in the Great War, the United States directly transitioned into a phase of economic prosperity which appeared to be evident in all facets of American life. During the roaring twenties, the United States established themselves as the world world capital of Industry, Technology, and Culture.

In 1832 women were excluded from voting in the Great Reform. In the same year there was the first petition on women’s suffrage to the British Parliament. ("Suffrage in Wartime."). The vote was granted on 6 February 1918 to women over thirty years old who owned properties or had husbands that did, and women over thirty-five who were graduates.

Thousands of women have screamed at the top of their lungs, clawed at the patriarchy, and tirelessly fought for their rights as citizens of the United States of America. From the beginning of mankind, women have been labeled as inferior to men not only physically, but mentally and intellectually as well. Only in 1920 did women gain the right to voice their opinions in government elections with a vote, while wealthy white men received the expected right since the creation of the United States. A pioneer in women’s suffrage, Susan B. Anthony publicly spoke out against this hypocrisy in a time when women were only seen as child bearers and household keepers. Using the United State’s very own Constitution and Declaration as ammunition, Anthony wrote countless speeches and called for the right to vote in a country that boasted equality and freedom for all, yet women were not included.

Women’s suffrage is the right of women to vote in elections. During the 19th century some rights were given to women in the United states. In August of 1920 the Nineteenth Amendment became part of the constitution saying that “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.” The first women’s right convention was the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848.

Women's suffrage was a huge change in history. This movement began nearly one hundred years before it was actually passed! Women wanted this movement to begin because they had figured out that they were not listened to, and wouldn’t be listened to, unless they were allowed to have the right to vote. Another reason women wanted this movement to pass, was because they felt very left out and very low compared to other people, after all, Black and Chinese people could vote before women could. There are a few main people who started some movement to get this Amendment going.

Women Evolution How did the early modern political and social revolutions change the role of women in society? During the early days of industrialization, the main activity of workingwomen was known as “domestic servitude”. If these women had small children they would commonly find work at home like, laundry, sewing, or taking in lodgers. Despite that both parents were working, the wages were so low that most families struggled to earn enough income to provide for basic needs. Many industrialists encouraged workers to bring their children with them to work in the factories since they were quite cheap, no matter the age or how dangerous it may be.

Men have always said that women are a difficult species. This phrase has continued to be mentioned for many centuries nevertheless, no gender can survive alone nor be superior to the other. From Jeannette Rankin, women’s rights advocate, to Hillary Clinton, the first woman to become a presidential nominee of a major political party, they and many others have been in an environment run by men worked to show their abilities to be a part of the government and can be acknowledged as women who are mentally stronger than they once were. Women in politics are judged because of their age and gender which, may make them feel the need to climb various milestones to obtain positions in politics. Throughout history, women have not been treated equal because at a point in time they weren’t allowed to vote, weren’t allowed to have a word about anything, and were against discrimination.