History of Women's Rights 1848 - 1920

Summary

The video explores the history of women's suffrage in the United States, beginning with the Constitution's 1790 restrictions on voting to only white male property owners. It follows the long struggle led by figures like Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, highlighting key moments such as the 1848 Seneca Falls Convention and the 15th Amendment's exclusion of women. The video also covers the rise of new suffrage leaders like Alice Paul, the gradual spread of voting rights across western states, and the eventual passage and ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920, securing women's right to vote.

Takeaways

• 😀 In 1790, only white male property owners were allowed to vote for federal offices in the original U.S. Constitution.
• 😀 The women's suffrage movement began in 1848 with the Seneca Falls Convention, launching a campaign that lasted over 70 years.
• 😀 The 15th Amendment, passed after the Civil War, granted voting rights to African American men but excluded women, prompting the formation of the National Woman's Suffrage Association.
• 😀 In 1869, the Wyoming Territory granted women the right to vote, hoping to attract more women to a region with a male-to-female ratio of 6:1.
• 😀 Susan B. Anthony was arrested in 1872 for attempting to vote, yet the next state, Colorado, did not grant women suffrage until 1893.
• 😀 By 1912, no state east of the Mississippi River had granted women the right to vote, highlighting a regional divide in suffrage rights.
• 😀 Alice Paul, who disagreed with Susan B. Anthony's militant tactics, formed the National Woman's Party, leading marches and hunger strikes.
• 😀 New York became the first state in the East to grant full suffrage to women in 1917, marking a significant turning point.
• 😀 In 1918, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the 19th Amendment, which prohibited voting discrimination based on sex.
• 😀 After a year and a half of Senate deliberations, the 19th Amendment was passed on June 19, 1919, and ratified a year later, securing women's right to vote in the U.S. Constitution.

Q & A

What was the initial restriction on voting rights in the United States in 1790?

In 1790, only white males with property could vote for federal office in the United States.

What event in 1848 marked the beginning of the women's suffrage movement?

The Seneca Falls Convention in 1848 marked the beginning of the women's suffrage movement, where women gathered to campaign for the right to vote.

Why did the 15th Amendment, passed after the Civil War, not grant women the right to vote?

The 15th Amendment granted voting rights to African Americans but did not include women, which led to the formation of women's suffrage organizations like the National Woman's Suffrage Association.

What was the significance of the Wyoming Territory in the history of women's suffrage?

In 1869, the Wyoming Territory granted women the right to vote, aiming to attract more women to the region, which was outnumbered by men 6 to 1.

What role did Susan B. Anthony play in the women's suffrage movement?

Susan B. Anthony was a tireless advocate for women's voting rights and was arrested in 1872 for attempting to vote, highlighting her commitment to the cause.

Which state was the first to grant women the right to vote east of the Mississippi River?

New York was the first state east of the Mississippi River to grant women full suffrage in 1917.

What new leadership emerged in the women's suffrage movement after Susan B. Anthony?

Alice Paul emerged as a new leader after Susan B. Anthony, forming the National Woman's Party, which organized marches and hunger strikes to push for women's voting rights.

What was the National Woman's Party's approach to advocating for suffrage?

The National Woman's Party, led by Alice Paul, engaged in more militant tactics, including marches and hunger strikes, to advocate for women's suffrage.

What happened on January 10th, 1918, regarding the 19th Amendment?

On January 10th, 1918, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the 19th Amendment, which stated that the right to vote could not be denied based on sex.

When was the 19th Amendment officially ratified and became law?

The 19th Amendment was passed by the Senate on June 19th, 1919, and ratified by the states a year later, making women's right to vote a permanent part of the U.S. Constitution.