The primary goal of the women’s rights movement was to improve the women’s roles in society/to eradicate gender discrimination/change traditional values–women struggled to possess the same political and economic rights when compared to men; wanted society to see them first as individuals, and secondly, as citizens of the United States
Background information: Anti-slavery movement (In the 1830’s,….)
- Primarily a male dominated reform, many women publicly supported this movement o anti-slavery/abolitionist movement (a political movement that pledged …show more content…
Lytle, and Michael B. Stoff. Experience History: Interpreting America's Past. 8th Edition ed. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Higher Education, 2014.
1840 World’s Anti-Slavery Convention (Freemason’s Hall in London)
-Some abolitionist societies sent women, as their delegates to partake in this convention (most distinguished women, Lucretia Mott/Elizabeth Cady Stanton)
- Much to their dismay, some of the male delegates seated at the convention strongly objected the presence of women - men did not suppress their emotions – they expressed their disgust - discriminated against them– women were not welcomed (denied a seat and forbidden to participate – the male delegates present at the convention had deliberately excluded women from voicing their opinions and voting– men did not want women to be in a position of power – public sphere – no place for a woman
- Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott (enraged that they were denied this opportunity)
- Sparked reform: both women agreed there was a need to organize a convention that would solely focus on women’s issues o Embraced women’s equality with a passion o Thus, the women’s rights movement began
Drive – women emerged as leaders – found their voices – initiated public campaigns for legal change – felt …show more content…
Opening lines of the Declaration of Rights and Sentiments:
“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.”
- The Declaration of Sentiments, written by Elizabeth Cady Stanton, was modeled after the Declaration of Independence written by Thomas Jefferson, a document that embodies the ideals and freedoms entitled to all US citizens.
- the document explicitly stated the injustices faced by American women
(regarding their rights and obligations)
“The history of mankind is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations on the part of man toward woman, having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over her. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid