Susan B. Anthony And The Women's Rights Movement

Superior Essays
For hundreds of years, the voices of American women have been suppressed by a male-dominated society. Without any representation in government, one entire half of the U.S. population was silenced. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the responsibility of women was believed to be in the home, raising the children and cleaning the house. It wasn’t until many strong, independent, and courageous women began to fight for their freedom and rights that this degrading and sexist view of women began to change. Susan B. Anthony is one of these influential women at the forefront of the revolution for women’s rights and equality. Anthony fought tirelessly for the inalienable rights of all oppressed people in American society. During a time of great inequality …show more content…
Anthony’s long lasting impact on American society has been made evident through her written works and numerous accomplishments in the women’s rights movement. Firstly, Anthony’s biggest impact on the movement for women’s equality was the founding of the National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA) in New York State. The main goal of this organization was to gain women’s suffrage throughout the United States. By establishing this association, Anthony created the means for women to gain the right to vote. Eventually, Anthony would go on to become the president of the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) which unified all women’s rights activists under one organization. The NAWSA would pave the way for women’s equality and open opportunities for future generations to continue Anthony’s and others suffragists’ efforts (Women’s). Moreover, Anthony’s impact on American history is displayed through her writings and propaganda regarding women’s rights. One of Anthony’s most well-known works is her women’s rights newspaper titled The Revolution, which sought to educate the public about the challenges facing American women. As Anthony herself vehemently states, The Revolution’s purpose is, “To educate all women to do precisely as I have done, rebel against your man-made, unjust, unconstitutional forms of law, that tax, fine, imprison, and hang women, while they deny them the right of representation in the government” (Anthony, An …show more content…
Anthony’s numerous accomplishments in pioneering the women’s rights movements validate her worthiness of a place in the U.S. Hall of Fame. To sum up, she has spearheaded a nationwide movement that forever altered the course of American history. She retaliated against the unjust and unconstitutional laws that oppressed women, displaying tremendous courage and leadership. Additionally, Anthony fought for the rights of African Americans, defying all societal norms and facing great opposition. Through her sacrifices for the equality of all, her determination and benevolence is apparent. Lastly, Anthony’s influence and achievements in women’s rights have had long lasting impacts. She was able to open up many opportunities for modern and future generations of women. Ultimately, these efforts of Anthony granted women more freedom and equality. Without her sacrifices and accomplishment, the passing of the Nineteenth Amendment and influx of independent women in the 1920s and later would may have not occurred for many more years. Thus, Susan B. Anthony’s revolutionary work for the women’s rights movements and for equal rights in general should be recognized with a place in the U.S Hall of Fame. A vote for Susan B. Anthony for the U.S. Hall of Fame is a vote for all American women and their countless

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    19th Century advocate for the cause of women’s suffrage, Susan B. Anthony, delivered a speech in 1873 following her conviction for the crime of voting. Anthony’s purpose is to argue that the treatment of women during the 19th Century was unjust and unconstitutional. She adopts a respectful and candid tone in order to address the sexism and prejudicial views of society. Anthony uses rhetorical devices in her speech in order to appeal to her audience’s sense of unity and human compassion.…

    • 405 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Megan Shu Shu 1 Ms. Thurtle English 1AS November 7, 2014 Susan B. Anthony’s Fight for Women’s Rights Susan B. Anthony stood at the door of the voting room, taking a look at the inside of the room. The room was grey, small, there were no windows, and only one way out. The room was full of people concentrating on filling out their ballots. As she walked in, everyone took a moment and looked at her strangely, wondering what a women was doing voting. She had prepared to vote a long time ago and she was to do so.…

    • 1118 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Anthony played a major role in women’s suffrage movement, impacting society and the government. When the Civil War was over Anthony’s main focus was women’s suffrage. Anthony and Stanton founded the National Women Suffrage Association. Both women then created The Revolution, stating that women should have equal rights as men. This was important to the women because they worked the same jobs as men so they believed that they should have equal rights.…

    • 569 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In The United States today, all citizens are eligible to vote for political candidates, political decisions and even laws. Up until 1920 in The United States, women did not bore the right to vote, regardless of their race or ethnicity. Also present in today’s society, while it may not be in all areas, women and men are equal in workplaces, schools, etc., and this ideology of equality has been adopted by the vast majority of society. But it was not always like this, from early 1900s and below, women had few to no rights. Men were the overall rulers in the household, and had complete control over their wives.…

    • 704 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    American society was morphed by the “market revolution” and the religious “Second Great Awakening.” These developments changed the role women played in their households, and carriers. Through flourishing jobs an era of women's rights also begun to occur. Women became unified politically, economically, and socially. Like any other movement there were diverse ideals which have influenced America to this day.…

    • 1556 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Great Essays

    Women's Suffrage Dbq

    • 1777 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Three very important women that help achieve this are Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Lucy Stone. Hailed as “the Napoleon of the women’s rights movement,” Susan Brownell Anthony led the fight for women’s suffrage for more than 50 years, bringing to the cause superb organizational abilities, boundless energy, and single-minded determination. Susan B. Anthony was born on February 15, 1820 in Adams, Massachusetts into a reform-minded Quaker family. At an early age, Anthony was most interested in reform movements, but only temperance and abolition. At great speed, she drove herself into work, involving herself with reform movements.…

    • 1777 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Decent Essays

    “I declare to you that woman must not depend upon the protection of man, but must be taught to protect herself, and there I take my stand.” In that quote Susan B. Anthony is declaring that any woman has as much right than any man to vote. Anthony was born on February 15,1820 in Massachusetts. Anthonys family were Quakers, that means they are religious and Anthony was the second of seven children in her family. Anthony went to a public school until she was seven, and her teacher refused to teach her long division.…

    • 563 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Superior Essays

    What do you expect to happen when you do something good? Maybe praise, a reward, but certainly not punishment. Well, unfortunately, that isn’t always the case, especially in The Crucible and in history. Arthur Miller’s play The Crucible illustrates a classic power in the wrong hands situation, as the play examines the Massachusetts Bay Colony’s Salem Witch Trials. Set in 1692, in the village of Salem, The Crucible begins with the minister of the church, Reverend Parris and his sick daughter Betty.…

    • 1103 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The tedious battle of equal rights for women in the 20th century lasted nearly one hundred years. (“Alice Paul: Feminist, Suffragist, and Political Strategist”) Many important women made significant impressions in this overcoming this struggle. Women’s suffrage, or their right to vote, was a concept that was fought for by a multitude of dedicated individuals. Alice Paul was a women’s rights activist who utilized her determination, education, courage, and persistence to make an everlasting impact on society.…

    • 1449 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The Seneca Falls Women’s Rights Convention in 1848 was the start of the women’s fight for the right to vote. The convention was organized by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott, when they were both denied entry to the World’s Anti-Slavery Convention in London. Stanton had written the Declaration of Sentiments, this declaration pointed out ways that “history was a record of men’s injustices toward women,” (Nash, pg. 11.) After the convention in Seneca Falls, New York, more conventions started to happen and they would discuss women’s suffrage campaigns and committees on how to further this movement. A close partner of Stanton was Susan B. Anthony, an avid abolitionist, whom she met at an anti-slavery convention.…

    • 451 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Alice Paul Dbq

    • 585 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Imagine you were a young American woman in the 1910’s who followed the rules and regulations, paid taxes like any other citizen, and who lived in the country where people fought in the American revolution for everyone to be free and vote. But ironically, you are not allowed to be on jury, cannot make laws, and cannot vote. Many women had fought for equal rights, but Alice Paul dedicated her life to all 20th century women for their equal rights. Alice Paul was a huge contributor to the success of the suffrage movement because she demanded for rights right away, she created the National Woman's Party, and she started a hunger strike. Women had always been patient when it came to their rights, but Alice Paul was tired of waiting.…

    • 585 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Among the most important rights were equality and liberty that were essential to man. The document did not only gave them a voice but also gave them a reason to fight. For instance, England having complete control over the thirteen colonies they were able to pass laws that were favorable to them. Among this laws, include Tea Tax, the Stamp Act as well as the Quartering Act. By requiring all revenues to return to England, these colonies were not able to sustain themselves, thus preventing them from being self-sufficient.…

    • 693 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    This organization created educational opportunities and evaluated working conditions. Anthony was not only an advocate for women’s rights, but was active in the anti-slavery movement. Anthony worked as an agent and made speeches for the American Anti-Slavery…

    • 1592 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Susan B Anthony's Speech

    • 1093 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Susan B. Anthony devoted her life to end women’s suffrage, and fought to prove that women had the right to vote. In the late 1800s voting was not permitted for women, and if they did they might get arrested. Anthony wrote and delivered stub speeches but didn’t have much success doing so. Nonetheless many years after she died her dedication made an impact in women’s right to vote, and in 1920 the 19th amendment was passed. In her speech Anthony talks about ending women’s suffrage, and her story of how she got arrested for trying to vote.…

    • 1093 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Both these women played prominent roles in establishing groups and organizations, which in a way made their speeches more effective in the regard the were well known and established when it came to Women 's Rights and equality. Prior to Anthony giving delivering her famous “On Women’s Right to Vote,” speech she illegally voted in the 1872 presidential election, which led to be being arrested, put on trial and fined $100, which she refused to pay, believing she was just…

    • 1539 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Improved Essays