Women's Suffrage: Crash Course US History #31

Summary

In this Crash Course episode, John Green explores the pivotal role of women during the Progressive Era, focusing on their fight for suffrage and broader societal changes. The script delves into the economic and political advancements of women, their involvement in reform movements, and the impact of legal changes that allowed them greater autonomy. It also discusses the significant contributions of organizations like the Women's Christian Temperance Union and the National Consumers League. The episode highlights key figures in the suffrage movement, the challenges they faced, and the eventual passage of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote.

Takeaways

• 🎓 The 'women's era' between 1890 and 1920 saw women gaining greater economic and political opportunities, including the right to own property and control their wages.
• 🏆 By 1900, nearly 5 million women worked for wages, primarily in domestic service or light manufacturing, highlighting their significant economic contributions.
• 🗳️ Women's involvement in reform movements, such as the Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU), played a crucial role in pushing for political change, including the right to vote.
• 💼 The growth of the consumer society in the 1890s led to new opportunities for women, especially in the use of 'labor-saving' devices and their influence as primary consumers.
• 🔗 The National Consumers League, led by Florence Kelley, used consumer power to advocate for products made without child or sweatshop labor, demonstrating women's economic leverage.
• 🏭 As more women entered the workforce, particularly in office and telephone operator roles, technology created new opportunities and shifts in gender roles.
• 🌐 The birth control movement, advocated by figures like Margaret Sanger and Emma Goldman, was a radical shift in women's rights, focusing on reproductive freedom and sexual autonomy.
• 🏡 Settlement houses, such as Hull House founded by Jane Addams, were instrumental in addressing social issues and served as incubators for the field of social work, where women were heavily involved.
• ✍️ The suffrage movement was marked by fragmentation, with groups like the National American Women's Suffrage Association (NAWSA) and the National Women's Party pushing for women's right to vote with varying tactics.
• 🗽 The ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920, which granted women the right to vote, was a significant milestone, though it did not immediately lead to substantial legislative changes to improve women's lives.

Q & A

What is the significance of the period between 1890 and 1920 for women in the United States?

The period between 1890 and 1920 is often referred to as the 'women's era' because it was a time when women began to have greater economic and political opportunities. This era saw women gaining the right to own property, control their wages, and make contracts and wills. It also marked the rise of women's involvement in reform movements and politics, leading to significant changes in their social and economic status.

How did the Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) influence the women's suffrage movement?

The WCTU, under the leadership of Frances Willard, embraced a broad reform agenda that included pushing for women's right to vote. The organization believed that women's participation in politics would be instrumental in passing local laws to reduce alcohol consumption, as they felt men were unlikely to vote for such measures.

What was the role of the National Consumers League in the Progressive Era?

The National Consumers League, led by Florence Kelley, sponsored boycotts and shaped consumption patterns, encouraging consumers to buy products made without child or sweatshop labor. This organization played a significant role in advocating for workers' rights and better working conditions.

How did the growth of the economy and the expansion of the upper-middle class impact women's opportunities during the Progressive Era?

The growing economy and the expansion of the upper-middle class led to more educational opportunities for women. This, in turn, resulted in a growing group of college-educated women who became leaders in new reform movements, pushing for social and political changes.

What was the significance of birth control advocacy during the Progressive Era?

Birth control advocacy was significant for several reasons: it put women at the forefront of debates about free speech, it was a public health issue, and it was a concern that cut across class lines, uniting women from different socioeconomic backgrounds. Advocates like Margaret Sanger and Emma Goldman fought for women's right to control their reproductive health and to enjoy sex without the fear of unwanted pregnancies.

Why was the Settlement House movement important for women's involvement in social reform?

The Settlement House movement, spearheaded by Jane Addams and others, provided a platform for women to address the problems of the poor and to engage in social work. Settlement houses served as community centers that offered services and support to the urban poor, and they became incubators for social work as a professional field, in which women played a significant role.

How did World War I impact the women's suffrage movement?

World War I had a complex impact on the women's suffrage movement. While it split the movement, with some suffragists supporting the war effort and others opposing it, the war also helped to advance the cause of women's suffrage. Women's contributions to the war effort, such as working in wartime industries, demonstrated their capabilities and helped to sway public opinion in favor of granting them the right to vote.

What were the tactics used by Alice Paul and the National Women's Party in their fight for women's suffrage?

Alice Paul and the National Women's Party used aggressive tactics in their fight for women's suffrage, including protests that led to imprisonment, public denunciations of the patriarchy, and hunger strikes during prison sentences. These tactics were inspired by the more militant women's rights activists in Britain and were seen as radical at the time.

Why was the 19th Amendment a significant event in American history?

The 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote, was significant because it marked a major milestone in the long struggle for women's suffrage. It was a hard-won victory that came after decades of activism and advocacy, and it represented a fundamental shift in the understanding of women's rights and their place in society.

What was the role of the National American Women's Suffrage Association (NAWSA) in the suffrage movement?

NAWSA, led primarily by middle to upper-class women, played a crucial role in the suffrage movement by organizing and advocating for women's right to vote. However, some of its members used nativist arguments to support their cause, which highlighted a darker side of the movement and should be acknowledged.