Women Politics WWI-1960 Flashcards
How did 19th Amendment pass during WWI?
Carrie Chapman Catt gained leadership of NAWSA in 1900. She told Wilson that if women were promised the vote they would commit enthusiastically to war. The formation of a Women’s Peace Party showed need to maintain support. Allied propaganda of a liberal alliance with Britain and France enforced need for women to gain vote. In 1917 NY and Illinois enfranchised women followed by South Dakota, Michigan, and Omaha in 1918. NAWSA targeted anti-suffrage senators and by 1919 Congress committed to pass Nineteenth Amendment which was effective by 1920.
Was 19th Amendment a turning point politically?
Yes: reward for work in war, showed accomplishment of NAWSA, extension of US democracy, a move to more political change.
No: Men didn’t have change of heart, many women made to vote in way husbands did, people felt Nineteenth Amendment proof that women had equality but they still faced wage gap and social attitudes. There was division over what to do next as some wanted to work in two party system but others felt women would never be on equal platform to men so separate party was needed.
How did LWV fail to garner support? What organisations appealed to women?
NAWSA turned into the League of Women Voters, LWV, but only 5-10% of NAWSA members joined it. More continuity for women to campaign for specific social and civic issues. Women active in church organisations alongside campaigning for educational and workplace improvements. Women’s International League for Peace gained members alongside the Association of Southern Women for the Prevention of Lynching which urged federal action against lynching. DAR gained members.
What opposition did women face in 20s?
Opposition as female campaigners for suffrage were seen as unwomanly and flappers were opposed in the 1920s. Many felt men should be top priority in Depression and National Association Opposed to Woman Suffrage and DAR opposed the ERA and new feminism later in century. NAWSA also wanted to inspire membership and didn’t encourage AA participation.
Did 1865-1920 see much change?
1865-20 saw little change, much continuity, as just like before war women became more involved in public life but were not represented in legislatures, Congress, government, or the courts. The Nineteenth Amendment didn’t radically alter this, and women were more focused on issues specific to them. Inequality remained with married women still requiring men to sign contracts or agree to them running businesses well into 60s. Women’s movement divided by state-specific issues and men still dominated public life.
Which group campaigned for ERA and what arguments surrounded it?
National Women’s Party wanted an ERA after 1920. Some women feared loss of protection. In 1876 Massachusetts gave an 8 hour day regulation for women. By 1900 36% of states regulated hours, a 1912 Supreme Court ruling supported legality of it and by 1920 75% of states passed regulations restricting women’s working hours. Also fear over equal pay causing rise in female unemployment. In 1921 Wisconsin passed legislation but nowehere else did.
What were problems for women after gaining vote?
Women voted in favour of their husbands, had to re-register as individuals and in some areas turnout was low where immigrant population was high. Political parties created women’s committees to mobilise women voters but women only had substantial representation by 1940. By 1933 146 women in legislatures, by 1945 234 women in state legislatures. Two years after 19th Amendment only 2 female governors standing in for husbands. Voting qualification stopped AAs and some states prohibited Natives from voting.
What did ER do for women during ND?
ER, first lady, pushed for women in public office. She was first chair of United Nation Commission for Human Rights and advocated women’s rights, AA rights, and Asian American rights. Responsible for appointment of Frances Perkins as Secretary for Labor. Worked with Women’s Trade Union League and LWV, alongside in 1938 sitting between whites and blacks at an Alabama conference.
What were limits during ND?
Limits: Federal agencies ran by men, New Deal legislation discriminated against mothers and married women to boost male employment, African American women suffered from racial discrimination for social security, inequality in pensions as ND legislation assumed women stayed at home, no attempt to secure equal wages.
How did ND neglect AAs and immigrants?
1935 Social Security Act passed with Aid to Dependent Children which provided help to mothers with young families. African American women discriminated against with disdain from administrators to idle mothers in poverty. AAs and Mexicans competed with whites for employment and agricultural ND policy pushed them to cities causing a rise in tension and lynching.
What organisations were set during the ND?
Alpha Kappa Alpha’s Mississippi Health Project provided healthcare from 1935-42 for poor black communities. Housewives League of Detroit, 1930, bought goods from black business.
How did WW2 advance women?
Less competition in employment as men served in armed forces. Women’s Advisory Committee established which enforced increased opportunity for women during WWII. Women in state legislatures rose from 144 to 228 and rise in Congress and public office women. Women worked in more skilled areas and gained confidence.
What limited women during WWII?
Political limits: not involved in wartime decision making, ND practise of men in top government positions continued, women didn’t gain cheap childcare and canteens that British women did during war despite tiring work, unequal pay, there was National Council for Negro Women but little consultation with AA women or promotion to armed forces/managerial roles, after Pearl Harbour Japanese women faced confinement and discrimination, women had little influence in political parties, divisions with conservative women unsupportive of working mothers getting more help.
How did WWII lead to regression?
Post-war consequences: there was prosperity in the economy after war leading to a rise in labour-saving devices, less social issues for women to campaign for, and Cold War made women fearful to request rights when people were hysterical about Communism. Post-war period was one of stagnation.
What happened to employment at end of WWII?
By end of 1946 2 million women lost jobs, 800,000 within two months. Women who remained had to accept lower pay and status and gap between pay rose between 1945-60. Sexual exploitation rose and flirting was often only way to get jobs. Concentration of women in nursing, teaching, and social work. African American women, particularly in South, denied economic rights, worked for low pay and in domestic service, linked to denial of voting rights.
