First-wave feminism was caused by the American Industrial Revolution during the 19th century and the First World War because of how it drastically changed the demographics of the workforce. The Industrial Revolution changed the U.S. economy to incorporate large factories which would produce goods for mass consumerism. Instead of working and making goods just to support your home, now groups of people were working together to produce more products for a bigger audience. The drastic increase in the need for workers at this time led to the introduction of women, mostly from the lower class, into the workforce1, 7. The horrible conditions of the women’s work environment led to some of the very first women’s movements: women workers strikes1. However,
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Both movements took place during a rise of progressive movements. Most feminists in the 1800s were also abolitionists. Similarly, second-wave feminism took place during the Civil Rights Movement. The rise of progressivism during both of these time periods “helped create a climate where injustice could be challenged.” 8 Furthermore, “activist states with a concern for social welfare are most likely to enact women’s suffrage” 9 movements during the time period from 1931 to …show more content…
In Elizabeth Cady Stanton’s speech2 at the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848, which is credited as being the start of the first feminist movement, she outlined the grievances of women, which would become the goals of the whole movement. Women had “no right to vote, no right to her wages or to property, no rights in divorce cases, no equal opportunity in employment, [and] no entrance to colleges.” 6 Besides legal rights, women also wanted to be treated with more respect and to be seen as “capable of self-cultivation.” 1 However, overall, first-wave feminism was mainly a demand for equal legal rights and the right to vote. Susan B. Anthony, a feminist who voted in the presidential election in 1872 and was arrested because of it, is credited for having a large impact on the motives and goals of first-wave feminism. She proclaimed, “my natural rights, my civil rights, my political rights, my judicial rights, are all alike ignored.” 3 She also questioned why she is denied representation in government, yet still taxed, why she is to be “tried before a jury of men,” 3 and why “forms of law [are] all made by men, interpreted by men, [and] administered by men, in favor of men and against women.”
Both movements took place during a rise of progressive movements. Most feminists in the 1800s were also abolitionists. Similarly, second-wave feminism took place during the Civil Rights Movement. The rise of progressivism during both of these time periods “helped create a climate where injustice could be challenged.” 8 Furthermore, “activist states with a concern for social welfare are most likely to enact women’s suffrage” 9 movements during the time period from 1931 to …show more content…
In Elizabeth Cady Stanton’s speech2 at the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848, which is credited as being the start of the first feminist movement, she outlined the grievances of women, which would become the goals of the whole movement. Women had “no right to vote, no right to her wages or to property, no rights in divorce cases, no equal opportunity in employment, [and] no entrance to colleges.” 6 Besides legal rights, women also wanted to be treated with more respect and to be seen as “capable of self-cultivation.” 1 However, overall, first-wave feminism was mainly a demand for equal legal rights and the right to vote. Susan B. Anthony, a feminist who voted in the presidential election in 1872 and was arrested because of it, is credited for having a large impact on the motives and goals of first-wave feminism. She proclaimed, “my natural rights, my civil rights, my political rights, my judicial rights, are all alike ignored.” 3 She also questioned why she is denied representation in government, yet still taxed, why she is to be “tried before a jury of men,” 3 and why “forms of law [are] all made by men, interpreted by men, [and] administered by men, in favor of men and against women.”