Title: The road from SENECA FALLS. (cover story) Source: New Republic, 08/10/98, Vol. 219 Issue 6, p26, 12p, 3bw Author(s): Stansell, Christine Abstract: Reviews several books related to women’s suffrage and feminism. ‘The Selected Papers of Elizabeth Cady STANTON and Susan B. Anthony, Volume One: In the School of Anti-Slavery, 1840-1866,’ edited by Ann D. Gordon; ‘Harriet STANTON Blatch and the Winning of Woman Suffrage,’ by Ellen Carol DuBois; ‘Woman Suffrage and the Origins of Liberal Feminism in the United States, 1820-1920,’ by Suzanne M. Marilley; More. AN: 888132 ISSN: 0028-6583 Full Text Word Count: 9663 Database: Academic Search Premier Section: BOOKS & THE ARTS The feminism of the mothers, the feminism of the daughters, the feminism of the girls. THE ROAD FROM SENECA FALLS I. One hundred and fifty years ago this summer, in the little country town of SENECA FALLS in upstate New York, several dozen excited women and a few interested men held the first meeting in the world devoted solely to women’s rights. It was 1848, the “springtime of the peoples” in Europe; and, although these Americans were far removed from the emancipatory proclamations in Europe, they caught the fever and produced one of their own, the Declaration of Sentiments: “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men and women are created equal.” Compared to the apocalypticism of The Communist Manifesto, another product of that year, the SENECA FALLS Declaration seems modest, a relic of right-thinking republicanism rather than a portent of wrenching revolutionary transformation. Yet its effects were destined to be no less profound, and far more benign. The gathering in 1848 emerged from a long, fitfully articulated history of women’s grievances, though the participants were not aware of it. The interruption of historical memory and, in its absence, the strains of improvising a politics of grievance on the spot, have always characterized this tradition. The written record of female protest extends back to the late middle ages, to the French woman of letters Christine de Pizan and her Book of the City of Ladies. It was in the late eighteenth century, however, that the language of the rights of man gained momentum around the northern Atlantic world, shifting the idea of justice for women out of the register of utopia to make it, for a few highly politicized women in the age of revolution, a plausible goal in the here and now. Thus, in 1776, Abigail Adams admonished her patriot husband, away in Philadelphia at the Continental Congress, to “remember the ladies” in their declarations, a nudge tempered by coyness but at heart quite serious.
In this essay, the author
- Reviews several books related to women's suffrage and feminism.
- Describes the feminism of mothers, daughters, and girls.
- Analyzes how elizabeth cady stanton refused to abjure her loyalties to the women's rights wing of abolition.
- Compares the epistolary styles of anthony's and stanton’s letters in selected papers. anthony moved in a cosmopolitan anglo-american milieu, intellectually and socially.
- Explains that strong and varied reform movements took root and flourished in the northern united states before the civil war. abolitionism, temperance, and moral reform crusades garnered both male and female supporters.
- Analyzes how the seneca falls declaration emerged from a long, fitfully articulated history of women's grievances, though the participants were not aware of it.
- Describes elizabeth cady stanton as a well-heeled woman who benefited from the best education available to girls in antebellum america.
- Analyzes how the selected papers uphold a nowcommon view of stanton and anthony as the brains of the pair, but the book's offerings deepen the meaning of both roles.
- Analyzes how stanton and anthony's influence was limited to radical quakers and garrisonian activists. the reconstruction amendments had the paradoxical effect of explicitly repudiating woman suffrage by introducing the qualification "male."
- Explains how women's colleges and coeducational public universities sent out self-consciously new women to work in the world as doctors, businesswomen, settlement house residents, artists, professors.
- Analyzes how the saga of generation and memory, of mothers and daughters, is the standard by which the convulsions of contemporary feminism must be measured.
- Explains that christine stansell is professor of history at princeton university. her new book, american moderns, will be published next spring.
Related
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- Women's Suffrageexplanatory essayThe campaign for women’s suffrage began in the decades before the civil war. At the same time, many people started looking for reforms. People started temperance clubs, religious movements and moral-reform societies, anti-slavery organizations–and in many of these, women played a prominent role (3). The first big step in women’s suffrage was made in 1848, when women’s rights activists Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott invited men and women to Seneca Falls, NY to discuss the problem of women’s rights. At this convention, the delegates produced a Declaration of Sentiments that states “We hold these truths to be self-evident...that all men and women are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” (3).
In this essay, the author
- Explains that women have been denied the rights and opportunities that men have had. this belief became widely popular in the "cult of domesticity" movement of the 1800s.
- Explains that the campaign for women's suffrage began in the decades before the civil war, when many people started looking for reforms. elizabeth cady stanton and lucretia mott invited men and women to seneca falls to discuss the problem of women’s rights.
- Explains that the women's rights movement gathered momentum in the 1850s, but lost it when the civil war began, because attention became focused on the war and the abolition of slavery. in 1869, the national woman suffrage association, led by susan b anthony and elizabeth cady stanton, was formed.
- Explains how the national women's party organized the voting power of women to elect congressional representatives who supported female enfranchisement. the nineteenth amendment passed both houses of congress and was sent to the states for ratification.
- Explains that the fifteenth amendment and the nineteenth amendment had a big influence on the united states.
- Explains that the amendment allowed women to elect progressive policy makers, who in turn enacted policies to benefit women.
- Explains that the women's suffrage movement changed women’s image. they were no longer the guardians of the household. in the 1920s, a "new woman" was created.
- Explains that the gibson girl image was the rage before world war i. the nineteenth amendment paved way to a new kind of freedom for women.
- Explains that the nineteenth amendment helped millions of women move closer to equality in all aspects of american life. women advocated for job opportunities, fairer wages, education and birth control.
- Explains the 19th amendment to the u.s. constitution: women's right to vote.
- Explains the history of women's rights in the u.s., and the 15th amendment to the constitution.
830 wordsRead More - Women's Right Movementexplanatory essayIn the mid nineteenth century America was going through an age of reform. The person who would be the center of these reforms would be the women in society. Women soon realized that in order to make sure that all the reforms went through they would need more power and influence in society. The oppression and discrimination the women felt in this era launched the women into create the women’s right movement. The women fought so zealously for their rights it would be impossible for them not to achieve their goals. The sacrifices, suffering, and criticism that the women activist made would be so that the future generations would benefit the future generations.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that in the mid nineteenth century america was going through an age of reform. the oppression and discrimination the women felt in this era launched them into create the women's right movement.
- Explains that the oppression and discrimination the women felt in this era launched the women's right movement. the nineteenth century was a ferment of reform such as the second great awakening.
- Explains that many reformers opposed the drinking of alcohol because drunkenness was widespread. the american temperance society was created by the women in the church to remove or regulate taverns.
- Explains the end goal of the women's right movement was for women to be treated as an equal citizen and not property.
- Describes the sacrifices, suffering, and criticism that the women activist made to benefit the future generations. the oppression and discrimination they felt in this era launched them into a women's right movement.
837 wordsRead More - Seneca Falls And The Origins Of The Women 's Right Movementopinionated essay1. The chosen book titled “Seneca Falls and the Origins of the Women 's Right Movement” is written by Sally McMillen in 2008. It is a primary source, as long as its author for the first time opens the secrets of the revolutionary movement, which started in 1848 from the convention held by Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Stanton. It is not a secondary source, as long as information from the book appears for the first time. Stanton did not reveal much in her memoirs, so the author had to work hard to bring this information on the surface. The convention changed the course of history by starting protecting women’s rights and enhancing overall gender equality. The book is a reflection of women’s activity in the name of their freedom and rights equality during fifty years. The book is significant both to the present and to the past time, as long as there are many issues in the society related to the women’s rights, and to the time studied in the class.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that contemporary women should be thankful to the processes that took place starting from the nineteenth century.
- Opines that mcmillen, s. (2008), seneca falls and the origins of the women's rights movement.
- Explains that sally mcmillen's book "seneca falls and the origins of the women’s right movement" is a primary source, as long as information from the book appears for the first time.
- Analyzes how mcmillen's book is a mixture of biography and memoirs of the main figures in the movement, stanton and stone.
1593 wordsRead More - The Woman Suffrage Parades of 1910 and 1913 by J. L. Bordaanalytical essayThe woman suffrage parades of 1910–1913: Possibilities and limitations of an early feminist rhetorical strategy by Jennifer Borda is fashioned during a period when annual parades were being introduced for the first time in the United States. The parades stimulated a unity among US women empowering them to discuss their progress and elaborate on the future needs. As such, the parades amalgamated the women’s feminist movement enabling them to pursue an audience from the political leaders at that time (Borda, 2011, p. 213-216). However, Borda vocalizes the challenges postured by the parades could impede the feminine movement and bring disparity to their image. Therefore, the divergence among women triggered the derailment of advocating for women’s justice.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the article, written by ann gordon, depicts the inconsistent nature of law making in the united states senate and the difficulty in convincing it to amend voting rights.
- Analyzes how bader-zaar, birgitta, in the article gender and suffrage politics: new approaches to the history of women's political emancipation, focuses on the european and the american version of fight for women suffragists and ignores their role in china.
- Cites hewitt, n., and mccann, c. r. & kim, feminist theory reader.
- Analyzes the topic of the women's suffrage parades of 1910–1913: possibilities and limitations of an early feminist rhetorical strategy by jennifer borda.
- Analyzes how the article, performing the woman question, validates that entertainment and art were used to campaign for women's rights.
- Analyzes the global fight for women suffrage in a global, multicultural, and multiracial perspective.
- Describes bader-zaar, borda, dassori, englander, &nym, l. e.
- Explains king, cornwall, and dahlin, e. c. (2005), winning woman suffrage one step at a time: social movements and the logic of the legislative process.
1928 wordsRead More - Reform Between 1825 And 1850opinionated essayPerhaps the most crucial reformists of the time period were those battling to obtain their God-given rights. Many lower class workers, such as African Americans, women, and immigrants, sought after the opportunity to vote, work it certain facilities, and be accepted in society as a whole. An engraving by Patrick Reason depicts an African American female in chains; with the inscription ‘Am I not a Woman and a Sister?’(Doc C) The woman shown is crying out, begging to be heard and listened to. Many males of the time period did not take female reformists seriously, or listen to them at all. On August 2nd, 1848, through the Seneca Falls Declaration, Elizabeth Cady Stanton prote...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that reformists sought to make the united states a more ideally democratic nation between 1825 and 1850. this was an age of nationalism and pride.
- Opines that the most crucial reformists of the time period were those battling to obtain their god-given rights.
- Analyzes how the church and other reform groups sought to reform america and make it a more moral and democratic nation.
- Explains that education was a huge subject of reformists during this time period. curriculums designed reading assignments taught basic reading and writing, but also installed moral principals into their minds so the children would grow to be model americans.
- Opines that while many believe reform and change to be the path to progress, there may be lessons and values that should be kept the same throughout.
- Explains that the reformists of the early 1800's sought to make america an idealistic democratic nation. they fought for their rights, for reform of society, and for education.
1363 wordsRead More - In 1848, the convention in Seneca Falls, New York produced the “Declaration of Sentiments” in the name of American women, which was brought about by Elizabeth Stanton and Lucretia Mott. Across the nation, groups came together holding conventions in direct reaction to the convention held at Seneca Falls, in addition to the consequential birth of women’s rights organizations. In 1851 at a convention in Ohio, Sojourner Truth, former slave and activist, gave her famous speech requesting that “if woman upset the world, do give her a chance to set it right side up again.” Just as Truth labored for women’s su...
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the women's suffrage movement in the united states fought for their rights as humans during the late 19th and early 20th century.
- Explains that the declaration of sentiments was produced by elizabeth stanton and lucretia mott in 1848, and the birth of women's rights organizations. sojourner truth labored for women’s suffrage as well as former slaves.
- Explains that after the civil war, the women's movement began in its own right. the awsa and nwsa opposed the fifteenth amendment, which excluded african american women in support of "the negro’s hour."
- Describes how nawsa formed from the awsa and nwsa rejuvenating the fight for women's rights after a decade of little advance.
- Explains that the power needed to achieve suffrage could not be obtained without working-class women being active participants.
- Analyzes how the women's movement turned to the start of world war i, when the battle for women’s suffrage was seen as frivolous and disrespectful, but militant tactics by the nwp continued despite both negative public opinion and nawsa.
- Analyzes how gerda lerner commented on the inadequacy of the women's suffrage movement in a letter to betty friedman, author of feminine mystique.
- Cites duniway, abigail scott, luscomb, florence, and keller, helen, in modern american women: a documentary history, 2nd ed., edited by susan ware.
- Quotes ware, susan, in modern american women: a documentary history, 2nd ed., edited by horowitz, daniel.
- Quotes linda k. kerber, jane sherron de hart, and cornelia hughes dayton in women's america: refocusing the past, 269-271.
- Quotes klapper, melissa r., ballots, babies, and banners of peace: american jewish women’s activism, 1890-1940.
- Cites linda kerber, jane sherron de hart, and cornelia hughes dayton's "minor v. happersett, 1874."
809 wordsRead More - Comparing Elizabeth Cady Stanton's Eighty Years And Moreanalytical essayThis discrimination towards this sex was reinforced by the idea that women was made for man. Not only was this idea prevalent within society but it furthermore is resonated through the laws and documents the government put in place. Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony fought to establish equality between both sexes within the nation. This is illustrated within the Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions at Seneca Falls when these women stated, “The history of mankind is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations on the part of man toward woman, having in direct object he establishment of an absolute tyranny over her.” This quote expresses the past of women rights and how from the beginning of time women have been seen as inferior to man. This furthermore resonated to express the idea that women were not only inferior but also a material object in a man’s life. Stanton and Anthony put a large emphasis into this ideal, making it their driving force into establishing women’s rights in America.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how elizabeth stanton and susan b anthony defied the values, norms, and customs that the american government and society were upholding by contradicting the concept that women were made for men.
- Analyzes how elizabeth cady stanton and susan b. anthony fought to establish equality between both sexes within the nation.
- Explains that the laws of the nation were degrading to the freedom and rights of women in the land. stanton and anthony discussed these issues at the seneca falls convention.
- Analyzes how elizabeth cady stanton and susan b. anthony sparked a movement to help the women of the nation.
- Explains that elizabeth cady stanton and susan b. anthony worked together to establish equal rights between men and women of the early american society. they were successful in beginning the women’s rights movement by holding conventions to inform the public and writing different documents that challenged the values within the nation.
1129 wordsRead More - Kathryn Kish Sklaropinionated essayI have read Kathryn Kish Sklar book, brief History with documents of "Women's Rights Emerges within the Antislavery Movement, 1830-1870" with great interest and I have learned a lot. I share her fascination with the contours of nineteenth century women's rights movements, and their search for meaningful lessons we can draw from the past about American political culture today. I find their categories of so compelling, that when reading them, I frequently lost focus about women's rights movements history and became absorbed in their accounts of civic life.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that they have read kathryn kish sklar's book, brief history with documents, with great interest, and have learned a lot from it.
- Opines that kathryn kish sklar has every right to produce this documentary after studying women's rights movements since before college at radcliff college, harvard university, and u. of michigan.
- Explains how the anti-slavery movement began in the 1830s, when women were inspired by the religious revivals sweeping the nation. angelina and sarah grimke left south carolina because of the "second great awakening."
- Opines that angelina grimke's work makes sense if we take her religious motivations seriously. the change she and her sister introduced into american political culture was large.
- Explains that angelina grimke's example in the 1830s was not an abnormal case within the history of american women who reconfigured american political culture.
- Analyzes how sklar disproves the idea that these revolutionary women started an abolitionist movement which in turn transformed into women's rights because they witnessed the harsh ideals of slavery.
- Opines that the book is too deep for a reader who knows little about the subject and does not explain the other sides to the issue well.
- Opines that kathryn kish sklar had every right to produce this piece because she has been involved in the study of women and the women's right movements since her days of college.
- Opines that kathryn sklar's aspiration for her to write the book is a noble thing to provide students information about the early female rights movements.
- Opines that an ethical gain has been made whenever the new intelligence of women has become available in the body politic. other important gains may reasonably be expected in proportion as the intelligence is extended by conferring the franchise upon women.
823 wordsRead More - The Woman’s Bible was formulated and codified by Stanton as “women's commentaries on women's position in the Old and New Testaments” (Stanton 9) Controversially, Stanton boldly challenged the Christian bible on how a woman should not be subservient to men. The Declaration of Sentiments, a document that was created and signed at the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848, served as a speech to model the Declaration of Independence. Stanton renovates one of the most quoted pieces of the historical document by stating: “We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men and women are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” (Stanton 1) Note, the additive of women included with men presents morally and ethically that all women are equal to men. In The Solitude of Self, Stanton addresses the “humanistic underpinnings of the feminist movement, as they had never been addressed before”(Kiss 3). Stanton carefully articulates her speech in a way to connect with her male audience so they can understand a woman’s life journey as one that is conducted alone. She reiterates that a woman should be non-reliant upon a man. In addition, according to Lisa Shawn Hogan, a doctor at Indiana University, the speech is considered a
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how elizabeth cady stanton's activism for female equality shaped her as a prolific leader of her time.
- Explains that elizabeth cady stanton was born in johnstown, new york, on november 12, 1815. her father, daniel, was a well-known lawyer, while her mother, elizabeth's lineage of descending heroes, made her successful.
- Analyzes how stanton's marriage and children put things into perspective for her. she proactively joined forces with other activists to openly discuss these negative feelings with the american public.
- Analyzes stanton's speeches, including the woman’s bible, the declaration of sentiments, and the solitude of self.
- Analyzes how elizabeth cady stanton's activism for female equality shapes her to be a prolific leader of her time.
993 wordsRead More - Over two centuries ago, a document was written that announced the independence of the thirteen colonies from Great Britain. That document, The Declaration of Independence, indicated that a new country was born, oppression in the New World would come to an end and new-found individual freedoms for citizens of America would become a reality. Thomas Jefferson ideals expressed in The Declaration of Independence was a stepping stone to the foundation of America. Many of Jefferson’s ideals expressed his concern for equality and liberty. The ideals he expressed in The Declaration of independence such as “We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal” (392), “all men have unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” (392) and the people have a right to alter or abolish a government if it does not ensure the rights of the people. The Declaration of Independence, which illustrates Jefferson’s ideals, is not only a significant historical document but also a belief that freedom is a natural born right to every citizen in the United States. By investigating the struggle of women during Jefferson’s time in office up until the 20th century, this essay will show that The Declaration of Independence marks the movement when the women of the United States would fight for equality and freedom.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the declaration of independence was a stepping stone to the foundation of america.
- Explains that equality was not the issue that women had to fight for. women have seen discrimination in america since the early 18th century.
- Explains that women's expectations did not include education beyond what was required to fulfill their prescribed duties in a hierarchical society. the rudiments of education started in the family, and boys and girls were trained according to their stations in life.
- Explains that women were denied the chance to work alongside men due to disabilities and their obligation to have children.
- Explains that the start of world war ii brought a significant change to women's role in the 20th century.
- Opines that the 21st century would bring a new surge towards equal rights for women. women should have access to reproductive health and family planning services, including abortion.
- Explains that equal pay would result in an annual $319 billion gain for women and their families if instituted immediately. over her working life, a typical woman could expect to gain $210,000 in additional income.
- Concludes that thomas jefferson's ideals were desired by both men and women, and his belief that all men have unalienable rights would initiate the women of america to change the future of women for their quest for liberty and freedom.
1219 wordsRead More