Woman's Suffrage
The Struggle for Women's Rights
Women have been fighting for their rights for over 100 years. Men have always looked down on woman. They thought that they were smarter than women and could do more things that women could not do, like vote. In the mid 1800's, there were a few women's rights groups, but they faded with the start of the Civil War. As soon as the war ended, the fight for women's suffrage gained momentum because of the 14th and 15th amendment. Women sided with the racist southerners, saying that white women should vote to neutralize the vote of male African Americans. This formed the Nation Woman Suffrage Association in 1869. There was also women that were pro-15th amendment. These women formed a group called the American Woman Suffrage Association. But in 1890, these two groups merged to make the new American Woman Suffrage Association. By now, they had changed their approach. Instead of wanting the same rights as men because they were created equal, they wanted the same rights because they are different. They could create a whole new political virtue. By 1910, some of states in the west started to extend the vote for women. Then, on August 26, 1920, the 19th amendment was finally past so women could vote.
The Right to Vote
At the time, only the men could vote. Women were not aloud to vote or hold in office. This made women all over America upset, so they protested. They made signs and gathered large crowds and fought for their right to vote.
President's Support
In 1917, Woodrow Wilson said that he agreed that women should have the right to vote. Also at this time, many people were giving in and agreeing that women should have equal rights like men, one of the reasons was because World War I was about to start.
Who All Opposes?
Of course you can guess who didn't want this to happen -men. Men thought that since women were "were not smart enough" to make the right choices, that they should not be able to vote.