History Brief: Women Gain Suffrage

Summary

During President Wilson's tenure, determined women fought for the right to vote, culminating in the Nineteenth Amendment in 1920. Women, who had been active in the Progressive Era, expanded their movement through grassroots efforts and various strategies, including bold tactics learned from British suffragists. This activism faced opposition, especially during WWI, but women's significant contributions to the war effort bolstered support. The movement split over tactics, with leaders like Carrie Chapman Catt advocating for lobbying and Alice Paul pushing for more radical measures. Persistent efforts led to women's suffrage becoming a reality.

Takeaways

• 🗳️ Women's suffrage was a major goal during the Progressive Era, with women playing an active role in various reforms.
• 📊 Prior to President Wilson's inauguration, women could only vote in federal elections in nine western states.
• 🎓 The movement gained momentum with the involvement of college-educated women, broadening its base beyond the wealthy class.
• 🚪 Grassroots efforts included door-to-door campaigning to recruit supporters for women's suffrage.
• 📢 Public speeches, parades, and protests became common tactics to spread the message of women's suffrage.
• 🌍 American suffragists were inspired by the British movement, adopting bold tactics such as hunger strikes and public heckling.
• 🔄 A debate over tactics led to a split in the movement, with some advocating for radical approaches versus more cautious lobbying.
• 🏢 The National Woman’s Party was founded to directly pressure the federal government for women's rights.
• 🕊️ 'Silent Sentinels' picketed outside the White House to pressure President Wilson to support federal suffrage, despite initial hesitance.
• 🛑 US entry into WWI led to criticism and violence against the picketers, who were seen as unpatriotic.
• 🏆 Women's contributions during the war significantly increased public support for suffrage, leading to the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment.
• 📜 The Nineteenth Amendment was ratified in 1920, granting women the right to vote 72 years after the Seneca Falls Convention.

Q & A

What was President Wilson's stance on trusts, banking, and the tariff system?

President Wilson fought to reform trusts, banking, and America's tariff system during his presidency.

What was the significance of women's suffrage during the Progressive Era?

Women's suffrage was considered the crowning achievement for many women who played an active role in the advancements made during the Progressive Era.

In how many states could women vote in federal elections prior to President Wilson's inauguration?

Prior to Wilson’s inauguration, women could vote in federal elections in only nine western states.

What was the impact of college-educated women on the women's suffrage movement?

A growing number of college-educated women breathed new life into the national movement, spreading the message of women's suffrage.

What strategies were used by local groups to support women's suffrage?

Grassroots (local) groups employed the tactic of going door-to-door to recruit potential supporters for women's suffrage.

How did the women's suffrage movement expand its reach to include poor and working-class women?

The movement gained momentum and interest among poor and working-class women as it expanded beyond its initial base of educated and wealthy women.

What tactics did British suffragists use that influenced American suffragists?

British suffragists, known for using exceptionally bold tactics such as hunger strikes and heckling politicians, influenced some American suffragists to consider similar approaches.

How did the Women's Suffrage Movement split over tactics?

The movement split between those like Carrie Chapman Catt, who emphasized cautious lobbying and 'ladylike behavior', and radicals like Lucy Burns and Alice Paul, who believed a more aggressive approach was needed.

What was the purpose of the 'Silent Sentinels' picketing outside the White House?

The 'Silent Sentinels' aimed to force President Wilson to publicly call for Congress to act on women's suffrage through their constant presence outside the White House gates.

How did World War I impact the perception of the Silent Sentinels?

With the US entry into WWI, the actions of the Silent Sentinels were seen as unpatriotic, leading to strong criticism and frequent clashes with the police.

What role did women play during World War I that contributed to the eventual support for women's suffrage?

During the war, women filled positions vacated by men, worked in factories, sold war bonds, and contributed significantly to the war effort, which helped swell support for women's suffrage after the war.

When was the Nineteenth Amendment passed, and when did it become law?

The Nineteenth Amendment was passed by Congress in 1919 and became law in August 1920 after being ratified by the necessary 36 states, with Tennessee being the decisive one.