National Woman Suffrage Association

Definition

The National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA) was founded in 1869 by Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton to advocate for women's right to vote in the United States. This organization played a crucial role in the women's suffrage movement by focusing on securing voting rights through a federal constitutional amendment, emphasizing the need for women’s equality and political participation.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The NWSA was established to unite women who were frustrated with the lack of progress on suffrage issues and sought to directly challenge laws denying women the vote.
2. One of the NWSA's major tactics was organizing petitions and lobbying Congress to propose an amendment granting women the right to vote.
3. The NWSA played a pivotal role in national campaigns, organizing rallies, marches, and demonstrations to raise awareness about women's suffrage.
4. In 1890, the NWSA merged with the American Woman Suffrage Association to form the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA), strengthening their collective efforts.
5. The NWSA's focus on a federal amendment paved the way for the eventual passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920, granting women the right to vote.

Review Questions

• How did the founding of the National Woman Suffrage Association influence strategies used in the women's suffrage movement?
  • The founding of the NWSA marked a shift towards more organized and focused strategies in the women's suffrage movement. By emphasizing a federal constitutional amendment as their primary goal, the NWSA directed resources and efforts towards lobbying Congress and mobilizing public support. This approach highlighted the necessity of national advocacy and laid groundwork for future campaigns, ultimately shaping how suffragists engaged with political processes.
• Discuss the impact of key leaders, like Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, on the National Woman Suffrage Association's mission and activities.
  • Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton were instrumental in defining the NWSA's mission and activities. Their leadership brought national attention to women's suffrage and established a clear agenda focused on securing voting rights through legislative change. They also inspired countless women to join the movement, utilizing public speaking, writing, and grassroots organizing to advance their cause. Their vision helped set priorities that would influence suffrage activism for decades.
• Evaluate how the merging of the National Woman Suffrage Association with other organizations shaped the future of women's voting rights in America.
  • The merger of the NWSA with the American Woman Suffrage Association to form NAWSA was a critical moment that unified two major factions within the women's suffrage movement. This collaboration combined resources, strategies, and supporters, creating a more powerful coalition that could effectively campaign for voting rights across different states. The united front increased pressure on lawmakers and played a significant role in achieving significant milestones like the passage of the 19th Amendment, ensuring that women's voting rights were recognized nationally.

Related terms

Women's Suffrage Movement: A social and political movement aimed at gaining the right to vote for women, which gained momentum in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Seneca Falls Convention:

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

American Woman Suffrage Association:

An organization formed in 1869 that worked alongside the NWSA but focused on winning suffrage at the state level rather than through a federal amendment.