Study Notes on Women, Suffrage, and the Progressive Movement

The Progressive Era and Women's Suffrage

• Timeframe: Increased activism for feminists during the Progressive era.
• Key Figures: Older generation led by Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton handed the movement to younger women.
• Challenges: Sought support from male Progressives; President Wilson delayed support until late in his presidency.

Campaign for Women's Suffrage

• Leadership: Carrie Chapman Catt became the president of NAWSA in 1900.
• Catt's Argument: Promoted the vote as a means to broaden democracy and empower women, enhancing their role in family care within industrial society.
• Strategy Shift: Initially pursued state-level victories; later advocated for a constitutional amendment.

Militant Suffragists

• Tactics: Adopted militant approaches including mass pickets, parades, and hunger strikes.
• Leadership: Alice Paul led a breakaway faction, forming the National Woman's Party in 1916, focusing on securing Congressional support for a constitutional amendment.

Nineteenth Amendment (1920)

• Outcome: World War I efforts led to Congressional support for women's suffrage.
• Ratification: Nineteenth Amendment ratified in 1920 guaranteed women's right to vote at all levels.
• Post-Victory: Carrie Chapman Catt established the League of Women Voters to educate voters.

Other Progressive Issues

• Birth Control: Margaret Sanger promoted birth-control education, leading to Planned Parenthood.
• Education and Rights: Progress in educational equality, marriage/divorce law liberalization, business discrimination reduction, and women's property rights.