Suffragettes

Definition

Suffragettes were members of women's organizations in the late 19th and early 20th centuries that advocated for women's right to vote through militant tactics and protests. These activists played a crucial role in the broader women's suffrage movement, pushing against societal norms and government resistance to secure voting rights for women.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Suffragettes were known for their more radical approaches compared to suffragists, including protests, hunger strikes, and civil disobedience to draw attention to their cause.
2. Prominent suffragettes included figures like Emmeline Pankhurst in the UK and Alice Paul in the US, who led significant campaigns and events to advocate for women's voting rights.
3. The movement gained momentum during the Gilded Age as women increasingly sought greater participation in public life and challenged traditional gender roles.
4. Many suffragettes faced imprisonment and violent backlash from authorities, which highlighted the intense opposition to women's suffrage at the time.
5. The efforts of the suffragettes contributed significantly to the eventual passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920, granting women the right to vote in the United States.

Review Questions

• How did the methods used by suffragettes differ from those of more traditional suffragists during the women's suffrage movement?
  • Suffragettes employed more militant and confrontational tactics compared to traditional suffragists. While suffragists often focused on peaceful lobbying and persuasion, suffragettes organized protests, hunger strikes, and civil disobedience to draw attention to their cause. This radical approach was a response to the lack of progress with more conventional methods and aimed to highlight the urgency of granting women the right to vote.
• Discuss the impact that societal attitudes towards women had on the suffragette movement during the Gilded Age.
  • During the Gilded Age, societal attitudes towards women were largely rooted in traditional gender roles that confined them to domestic duties. This perspective presented significant challenges for suffragettes, who not only sought voting rights but also aimed to redefine women's roles in society. As they protested against these restrictions, they confronted deeply ingrained beliefs about femininity and authority, which helped shift public perception and laid the groundwork for future advancements in women's rights.
• Evaluate the long-term effects of the suffragette movement on contemporary women's rights movements in America.
  • The suffragette movement had profound long-term effects on contemporary women's rights movements by establishing a framework for activism centered around equality and political participation. The strategies developed by suffragettes influenced later generations of feminists who continued to advocate for issues like reproductive rights, workplace equality, and an end to gender-based violence. The legacy of their courage and determination not only secured voting rights but also inspired ongoing efforts toward achieving comprehensive gender equality in all facets of society.

Related terms

Suffrage Movement:

A social and political movement aimed at expanding voting rights to women, emphasizing equality and justice in political representation.

Women's Rights:

The belief in and advocacy for equal rights for women, including legal, social, and political equality.

NAWSA: The National American Woman Suffrage Association, formed in 1890, which worked toward women's suffrage through lobbying and peaceful activism.