National Woman Suffrage Association

Definition

The National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA) was an organization founded in 1869 by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony to advocate for women's right to vote in the United States. The NWSA focused on securing a constitutional amendment for women's suffrage, emphasizing the importance of women's rights in broader social and political reforms, and highlighted the intersection of women's rights with other issues such as race and class.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The NWSA was formed as a response to the exclusion of women from the 15th Amendment discussions, which granted African American men the right to vote but did not address women's suffrage.
2. One of the key strategies of the NWSA was to push for a federal constitutional amendment that would guarantee women the right to vote across the United States.
3. The organization faced challenges, including opposition from both men and women who believed that suffrage was inappropriate for women.
4. The NWSA eventually merged with its rival, the American Woman Suffrage Association, in 1890 to form the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA), which focused on a unified approach to suffrage.
5. The efforts of the NWSA and its leaders significantly contributed to raising awareness about women's rights and ultimately played a crucial role in the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920.

Review Questions

• How did the formation of the National Woman Suffrage Association reflect the broader goals of first-wave feminism?
  • The National Woman Suffrage Association exemplified first-wave feminism by advocating not just for women's voting rights but also for social reforms that addressed gender equality. Its founders believed that suffrage was essential for women to gain political power and influence societal changes. The NWSA connected women's suffrage with other pressing issues of their time, such as abolition and labor rights, showcasing a comprehensive approach to achieving equality.
• Discuss the differences between the National Woman Suffrage Association and the American Woman Suffrage Association regarding their strategies and goals.
  • The National Woman Suffrage Association focused primarily on obtaining a federal constitutional amendment for women's suffrage, while the American Woman Suffrage Association concentrated on winning voting rights at state levels. This led to differing strategies: the NWSA emphasized a more confrontational approach, advocating for direct action and national attention, whereas the AWSA adopted a more gradualist approach, seeking to align with other political movements. The eventual merger of these two organizations highlighted a growing consensus on prioritizing women's suffrage nationally.
• Evaluate how the National Woman Suffrage Association's advocacy shaped public perceptions of women’s roles in society during the late 19th century.
  • The advocacy efforts of the National Woman Suffrage Association were pivotal in reshaping public perceptions of women’s roles during the late 19th century. By actively campaigning for women's right to vote, NWSA leaders challenged traditional gender norms and argued that women were capable of contributing significantly to society as equal participants in democracy. Their activism raised awareness about issues like education, labor rights, and social reform, influencing societal views on women's capabilities and roles beyond domestic spheres. This shift laid groundwork for future feminist movements by highlighting women’s voices in politics and public life.

Related terms

Seneca Falls Convention:

The first women's rights convention held in 1848, where activists like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott gathered to discuss women's suffrage and issued the Declaration of Sentiments.

American Woman Suffrage Association: Founded in 1870, this organization aimed to unite women suffragists in support of the 15th Amendment and sought to gain voting rights through state-level campaigns rather than a federal amendment.

Suffragette: A term used to describe women who actively campaigned for the right to vote, particularly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, often associated with more militant tactics.