Women 1865-1992

Question 1

What was the status of women in the USA in 1865?

Answer 1

Women were largely confined to domestic roles, with limited rights in education, work, and politics.

They could not vote, and married women’s legal rights were often controlled by their husbands.

Question 2

What was the significance of the 19th Amendment (1920)?

Answer 2

The 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote, marking a major victory for the suffrage movement and advancing political equality for women.

Question 3

What was the role of women in the workforce during World War II (1941-1945)?

Answer 3

Millions of women entered the workforce to support the war effort, taking on roles traditionally held by men in industries like manufacturing (e.g., “Rosie the Riveter”).

Question 4

What was the Equal Pay Act of 1963?

Answer 4

The Equal Pay Act aimed to eliminate wage disparity between men and women, marking an important step in the fight for workplace equality.

Question 5

Who were key figures in the women’s suffrage movement?

Answer 5

Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and later Alice Paul and the National Woman’s Party were instrumental in fighting for women’s voting rights.

Question 6

What role did the Women’s Liberation Movement play in the 1960s?

Answer 6

It fought for greater equality in the workplace, reproductive rights, and the abolition of sexist societal norms, laying the groundwork for second-wave feminism.

Question 7

What role did the Women’s Liberation Movement play in the 1960s?

Answer 7

It fought for greater equality in the workplace, reproductive rights, and the abolition of sexist societal norms, laying the groundwork for second-wave feminism.

Question 8

How did women’s access to education change from 1865-1965?

Answer 8

By the mid-20th century, more women attended universities, though they often faced barriers in pursuing careers in male-dominated fields.

Question 9

What impact did the Flapper era of the 1920s have on women?

Answer 9

The Flapper era symbolised a break from traditional roles, with women embracing new fashions, independence, and a more liberated social identity.

Question 10

What was the Married Women’s Property Act (1860s-1870s)?

Answer 10

These laws allowed married women to own property and retain wages, a significant step towards economic independence.

Question 11

What impact did World War I have on women’s rights?

Answer 11

Women’s contributions to the war effort helped strengthen the case for suffrage, leading to the passage of the 19th Amendment.

Question 12

How did the Civil Rights Movement affect women’s rights?

Answer 12

The movement highlighted gender as well as racial inequalities, inspiring greater advocacy for women’s civil and political rights.

Question 13

What was the Sheppard-Towner Act (1921)?

Answer 13

It provided federal funding for maternity and child health programs, demonstrating the growing political influence of women voters.

Question 14

How did the ‘Cult of Domesticity’ influence women in the 19th century?

Answer 14

It promoted the idea that women’s roles were centred on the home and family, reinforcing gender stereotypes that persisted into the 20th century.

Question 15

How did women’s roles shift during the 1950s?

Answer 15

Post-WWII, women were pushed back into domestic roles as men returned to the workforce, though many women continued working outside the home.

Question 16

What was the significance of Margaret Sanger’s work?

Answer 16

Sanger advocated for birth control and founded the first birth control clinic in the US, leading to the establishment of Planned Parenthood.

Question 17

What was the role of African American women in the fight for equality?

Answer 17

African American women like Sojourner Truth, Ida B. Wells, and Rosa Parks fought against both gender and racial discrimination, playing key roles in suffrage and civil rights movements.

Question 18

Evaluation: To what extent did women achieve equality by 1965?

Answer 18

Women made significant progress in voting rights, education, and workforce participation, but faced ongoing discrimination in pay, employment opportunities, and societal expectations.

Question 19

How effective was the 19th Amendment (1920) in improving women’s status?

Answer 19

While the 19th Amendment granted voting rights, many women, especially African American and minority women, faced barriers like poll taxes and literacy tests. Social norms also limited their political participation.

Question 20

Did women gain true workplace equality during WWII?

Answer 20

Although millions of women worked during WWII, many lost their jobs when men returned from the war. Workplace discrimination and the wage gap persisted.

Question 21

How did the Equal Pay Act of 1963 impact women?

Answer 21

The act was a milestone, but enforcement was weak, and women continued to face wage inequality and discrimination in hiring and promotion.

Question 22

To what extent did women benefit from education reforms by 1965?

Answer 22

More women accessed higher education, but cultural expectations often confined them to “feminine” careers like teaching or nursing, limiting their professional advancement.

Question 23

What limitations remained for African American women by 1965?

Answer 23

African American women faced compounded discrimination due to race and gender.

They were often excluded from white feminist movements and faced economic disadvantages despite their contributions to civil rights.

Question 24

How did societal attitudes hinder women’s progress in the 1950s?

Answer 24

The post-war emphasis on domesticity reinforced traditional gender roles, pushing women back into homemaker roles and reducing momentum for feminist progress.

Question 25

Did the suffrage movement address all women’s needs?

Answer 25

The movement largely centred on white, middle-class women. Issues faced by working-class, immigrant, and minority women, such as labour rights and education, were often sidelined.

Question 26

Were legal reforms sufficient for achieving gender equality by 1965?

Answer 26

Legal reforms like the Equal Pay Act and the 19th Amendment provided a foundation, but cultural and systemic barriers, such as entrenched sexism and workplace discrimination, remained significant.

Question 27

How did women’s political representation change by 1965?

Answer 27

While voting rights were established, women were underrepresented in political office and decision-making roles, reflecting persistent inequalities in political power.

Question 28

Did reproductive rights improve for women by 1965?

Answer 28

Limited progress was made.

Access to birth control expanded with Margaret Sanger’s efforts, but widespread availability and societal acceptance were still lacking, especially in conservative areas.

Question 29

How did women’s activism evolve by 1965?

Answer 29

Early suffrage movements transitioned to workplace rights and civil rights activism.

However, second-wave feminism’s broader challenges to patriarchy were only just beginning.

Question 30

How did economic inequality persist for women by 1965?

Answer 30

Women remained overrepresented in low-paying, insecure jobs. Married women faced restrictions on credit, mortgages, and financial independence without male consent.