National Woman Suffrage Association

Definition

The National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA) was an organization founded in 1869 by leaders such as Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, aiming to secure women's right to vote in the United States. The NWSA focused on a federal approach to women's suffrage and was pivotal in advocating for constitutional amendments that would grant women voting rights, highlighting the intersection of women's rights and civil rights during a time of social reform.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The NWSA was established in response to the perceived inadequacies of the American Equal Rights Association, which had shifted its focus primarily to Black male suffrage after the Civil War.
2. The NWSA advocated for a federal constitutional amendment for women's voting rights, while their counterpart, the American Woman Suffrage Association, supported state-level efforts.
3. Susan B. Anthony served as the NWSA's president and was a key figure in organizing campaigns and rallies to promote women's suffrage across the country.
4. The NWSA published a newspaper called 'The Revolution' to spread awareness and information about women's suffrage and civil rights issues.
5. The efforts of the NWSA laid the groundwork for future advancements in women's rights, culminating in the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920.

Review Questions

• What were some of the main strategies employed by the National Woman Suffrage Association to promote women's voting rights?
  • The National Woman Suffrage Association employed several strategies to promote women's voting rights, including organizing rallies, public speeches, and campaigns that aimed to raise awareness about women's suffrage. They focused on lobbying Congress to pass a federal constitutional amendment that would secure women’s right to vote. The publication of their newspaper, 'The Revolution,' helped disseminate their message and mobilize supporters across the nation.
• Compare and contrast the National Woman Suffrage Association with the American Woman Suffrage Association regarding their approaches to achieving voting rights for women.
  • The National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA) primarily focused on securing a federal constitutional amendment for women's voting rights, believing that only national legislation could guarantee their enfranchisement. In contrast, the American Woman Suffrage Association (AWSA) pursued a strategy of gaining voting rights through state legislatures, arguing for incremental progress at the local level. While both organizations aimed for women’s suffrage, their differing approaches reflected broader debates within the movement about how best to achieve equality.
• Evaluate the impact of the National Woman Suffrage Association on subsequent women's rights movements and its legacy in American history.
  • The National Woman Suffrage Association significantly impacted subsequent women's rights movements by laying a strong foundation for organized advocacy and political activism. Its commitment to securing a federal amendment influenced later generations of activists who fought not only for voting rights but also for broader issues of gender equality and social justice. The legacy of the NWSA can be seen in contemporary feminist movements that continue to address inequalities and advocate for women’s rights across various dimensions, reflecting its enduring influence on American history.

Related terms

American Woman Suffrage Association: An organization founded in 1870 that advocated for women's suffrage at the state level and sought to unify the suffrage movement in the U.S.

19th Amendment: The constitutional amendment ratified in 1920 that granted women the right to vote, marking a significant victory for the suffrage movement.

Seneca Falls Convention:

The first women's rights convention held in 1848, where activists like Stanton and Anthony began to organize for women's suffrage and other rights.