Never a Fight of Woman Against Man

Overview of Women's Suffrage

• Women's suffrage is often misrepresented in textbooks, depicting it as a conflict between women and men.

• Prominent suffrage leaders like Alice Stone Blackwell and Carrie Chapman Catt emphasized that it was a struggle between progressive and narrow-minded individuals, not a battle against men.

• Textbooks frequently fail to recognize that suffragists had considerable male support and sometimes overlook the opinions of women opposed to suffrage.

Key Points from Suffrage Leaders

• Alice Stone Blackwell stated in 1914: "the struggle has never been a fight of woman against man..."

• Carrie Chapman Catt argued that the true enemy of suffrage was resistance to change, rather than men themselves.

• Susan B. Anthony, in 1902, suggested that suffrage laws might not have passed if it depended solely on women's votes, indicating that many men were more progressive on this issue than women.

Examination of College Textbooks

• A study of fifteen American history textbooks found no mention of the collaborative efforts of men and women for or against suffrage.

• Textbooks often portray a simplistic view of suffrage being overwhelmingly supported by women and opposed broadly by men.

Women's Opposition to Suffrage

• Women's opposition to suffrage has been a significant yet overlooked aspect of history, continuing from the Seneca Falls convention in 1848 to the Nineteenth Amendment in 1920.

• Carrie Chapman Catt noted that at the time of the Nineteenth Amendment's ratification, public support among women was divided roughly into thirds: those who supported suffrage, those who opposed it, and those indifferent.

• Several organizations formed to oppose suffrage, such as the Massachusetts Association Opposed to the Further Extension of Suffrage to Women.

• Women involved in anti-suffrage movements often included well-respected individuals who believed they held more influence without the vote.

Reasons for Women's Opposition

• Many anti-suffragists argued that women's civic-mindedness allowed them to exert power and influence without the need for the ballot.

• The potential lack of informed voters among the general female populace was a key concern leading to anti-suffrage sentiments.

• Some women felt that partisan politics would diminish the respect they commanded in society.

Paradox of Activism

• The anti-suffrage movement included educated and progressive women who believed they could achieve their goals more efficiently outside the political sphere.

• Prominent anti-suffragists included figures like Mrs. Arthur M. Dodge, who argued for the effectiveness of influence without voting, suggesting that political methods used by men were less suited for women's capabilities.

• Anti-suffrage leaders believed that engagement in partisan politics could diminish their power and lead to a loss of public respect.

Public Relations Challenges

• The suffrage movement faced significant challenges due to its associations with controversial figures and ideologies (free love advocates, socialists) that helped stigmatize the movement.

• Historical perceptions shaped by radical suffragists like Victoria Woodhull led to a negative public perception of the movement as a whole and hindered broad support.

Misrepresentation in Historical Narratives

• The dominant narrative of suffrage has led to misconceptions, primarily fueled by the history written by leaders who often excluded the contributions of moderates and male allies.

• Historians and textbooks have frequently perpetuated the view that suffrage was a fight against male oppression without adequately addressing the complexities of opposition amongst women.

Suggested Changes for Textbooks

• Textbooks should reflect that:

  • A significant portion of women opposed suffrage until the early 20th century.

  • Many men actively supported women's suffrage.

  • The idea that women were the major proponents of suffrage is a myth; many women were indifferent or opposed.

• More emphasis on the varied experiences of women's suffrage across different regions, showcasing how attitudes differed particularly in western states where suffrage achieved significant victories earlier.

• Future narratives should be more balanced, providing deeper insights into the anti-suffragist stance and including the contributions of both men and women across the spectrum of the suffrage movement.