Notes on Declaration of Sentiments by Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Declaration of Sentiments (1848)

  • Introduction

    • Address by Elizabeth Cady Stanton at Seneca Falls, NY.

    • States that when a group needs to change their societal position, they must declare the reasons for this change.

  • Core Beliefs

    • All men and women are created equal.

    • Individuals possess inalienable rights (e.g., life, liberty, pursuit of happiness).

    • Governments are created to protect these rights and derive their powers from the consent of the governed.

  • Right to Change or Abolish Government

    • If a government fails to protect rights, it is the right of the people to abolish or change it.

    • Historical tendency for people to endure suffering rather than overthrow established government without significant cause.

    • A long history of abuses necessitates action against oppressive systems.

  • Women’s Patient Suffering

    • Women have suffered under a government that refuses to grant them equal rights.

    • The oppressive nature of male-dominated societies is highlighted, which violates women’s rights.

  • Evidence of Inequality

    • Men have denied women the right to vote (elective franchise).

    • Women have been forced to adhere to laws without having a say in their creation.

    • Inequalities in representation in government, leading to oppression in all aspects of life.

  • Legal and Social Disenfranchisement

    • Married women considered civilly dead; losing rights to property, income, and self-governance.

    • Laws enforce obedience to husbands, rendering women morally irresponsible in society's eyes.

    • Divorce laws structured to favor men and disregard women's happiness.

  • Educational and Professional Barriers

    • Women denied access to higher education and professional fields (theology, medicine, law).

    • Employment opportunities limited and under-compensated.

  • Religious and Moral Exclusion

    • Women occupy subordinate positions in church; often excluded from ministry.

    • Society creates double standards for moral behavior between genders, penalizing women disproportionately.

  • Call for Action

    • Strong insistence on women’s need for immediate access to rights and privileges equal to those of men.

    • A collective voice for oppressed women, asserting their demand for justice and equality.

Conclusion

  • The Declaration of Sentiments serves as a pivotal document in the women's rights movement, identifying injustices and advocating for equal rights for women, fundamentally challenging the societal norms of the time.