Women Flashcards
when was the Declaration of Sentiments and what was it?
July `1848
it was supported by over 300 men and women which highlights its significant backing
it interested equal rights and women’s suffrage
it was met with strong criticism and anger
it was one of the finding roots of the suffrage system that led to the 19th amendment
what was life like for women before 1865?
they were active among the church community (Sunday schools)
participated in the abolition of slavery campaign
promoted temperance
campaigned for better working conditions and support of the poor
there was opposition to prostitution, and they wanted moral reform
they also campaigned for the vote for themselves alongside all of this
what was good about women’s interest in working alongside the church through Sunday schools and religious meetings?
People cannot claim they are drunks or gamblers and that they cannot be trusted as they are clearly highlighted to be good, morally decent people, emphasised by their want to for temperance too
How did the American Civil War impact women?
Women did not fight but had to support the war effort through charitable organisations and funding campaigns
they had to take on a greater economic role as men were away (fighting disrupted crops and plantations)
the traditional view of the role of women (in the home) became conflicted with their new responsibilities
after the war there was a challenge of traditional and conventional ideas, particularly in the South- women did not want to return to pre-war domesticity now that they had a taste of freedom
what may have encouraged women to fight for the right to vote and equality during the American Civil War?
African Americans, as Women helped to campaign for their rights and saw them now be able to vote (1867 Reconstruction Act, 15th Amendment), and also sit in Congress and direct State legislature
This motivated women to campaign for their rights too, as AA’s were no different in the sense that they were simply another form of disadvantaged groups within society
what did men not like about the connection between women and the abolition of slavery?
they felt feminism was evil, and possibly felt worried at the thought they might gain power and become too strong which would have been very unconventional
what is a example of a woman aiding African Americans during the abolition of slavery campaign?
Harriet Tubman
helped to rescue slaves and played a very active role in the movement
how did the abolition of slavery campaign benefit women?
it showed them how to campaign properly and how to be effective at gaining attention and publicity, and getting others to suport them
it helped them to develop public speaking skills and campaigning skills
what social changes took place for women as a result of the American Civil War?
suburban living improved for middle class women, yet still a big issue for working class and immigrant women changes to family size, birth rate went down as men had been away fighting. 5.42 in 1850 to 3.56 in 1900 women were expected to extent their nurturing role into the wider community- schools and charity
what did Jane Addams set up which highlighted that women had a key and prominent role within society?
parenting classes at Hull House in 1889
what were the Comstock Laws of 1873?
these laws prevented the sale or distribution of contraceptives and items used in abortion
how many women were prosecuted under the Comstock Laws which showed the government took it seriously?
3600 women
how long did the Comstock Laws last?
until reform in the 1960’s, the Supreme Court held it up all this time
what was the positive economic impact of the American Civil War upon women?
there was a growth in opportunities for unmarried women
17% of women made up the total workforce by 1900
domestic service was replaced with better opportunities in the textile and service industry (cafes,restaurants, hotels, bars etc) due to industrial expansion
by 1890 many women were heading into office work due to technological improvements and developments (telephone, typewriter)
agricultural work was fading away
what was the negative economic impact of the American Civil War upon women?
white women were replaced in factories by immigrant women which increased tensions
no career pathways in male dominated roles such as medicine and law
there was poor conditions in factories for immigrant women, and they worked 70 hours to gain $5 by 1900
what was set up to pressurise the government for better wages and when?
NCL (National Consumers League)
1899
how did women work to try and gain enfranchisement?
Lucretia Mott founded the American Equal Rights Association (AERA) in 1866 and this wrote the Declaration of Sentiments
what shows that it was not just all white middle class women campaigning for the vote?
Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton were the most prominent white middle class campaigners, however Sojourner Truth was an ex-escapee slave, and an African American woman, so this shows that women had more of an overall appeal
What were Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stantion best known for in the Gilded Age?
they were thought to be good role models, meaning they were more likely to be respected by men and therefore see change, however the status quo of the time meant that this was not possible
Stanton also campaigned for divorce and property laws
what did Elizabeth Cady Stanton found in 1869?
National Women Suffrage Association (NWSA)
national =widespread and popular support
what did Susan B Anthony and Stanton found in 1874 and what did it aim to do?
Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU)
promote women’s suffrage, combat evils of alcohol and drinking excessively, and they used moral and religious arguments to do this (links to church involvement women had)
they had 7000 branches by 1900
what were the key themes of women during the Gilded Age and after the impact of the American Civil War?
securing a political voice
economic opportunity
social change- temperance, birth control and abortion
what was the main concern of women during the Gilded Age?
home and family
what was established in 1866 by Lucretia Mott?
AERA
American Equal Rights Association
what was the WCTU?
Women’s Christian Temperance Union
pushed for a ban on alcohol to save family life
What was the Charity Organisation Society and what did it do?
became a major outlet for urban women
charity work led to many cities and states appointing women to administer public charities and so they were granted experience of influencing local government
it was also effective in persuading many states to pass legislation in the 1900s, this gave assistance to mothers, wives and widows.
Who led protests in support of the Populist party?
Elizabeth Lease
she led protests despite bitter hostility from business interests
what was the difference between the NWSA and AWSA? How did this cause a lack of progress?
NWSA restricted membership to women, whereas AWSA also allowed men to join
Divisions meant limited consensus, therefore limited reform and change/progress
what was the AWSA?
American Women Suffrage Association
rival group to NWSA
set up by Lucy Stone and Julia Ward House
what two states initially granted the right to vote to women?
Wyoming 1969 and Utah 1870
Utah’s Mormons were keen to highlight that women were not exploited by polygamy
why was there hostility to women’s right to vote elsewhere?
viewed as unnatural and distracting from their domestic duties.
what is an example group of opposition to the right to vote?
National Association Opposed to Women’s Suffrage (NAOWS)
Established in 1911
Catholic immigrants thought the vote would weaken family
Southern democrats feared women would work against Jim Crow (abolitionist movement impact)
how much progress had been made for women by 1900?
not much
divisions (NWSA,AWSA)
Southern organisations were hostile to AA women
no consensus on who should be given the vote (age and social class)
Opposition got stronger despite gains in certain states
Temperance distracted the focus away from women’s rights
what was formed in 1913 under Lucy Burns and Alice Paul?
Congressional Union
more militant
was renamed the National Women’s Party in 1916
