Contents of the 19th Amendment
The 19th amendment was a bill that sought to secure equal rights for women’s involvement in the democratic process in the United States. The bill aimed at ensuring that women could get involved in voting for leaders and deciding the nation’s future. Specifically, the 19th amendment sought to establish equality for all people regardless of their sex differences (Davidson et al.). The proponents wanted both men and women to have a say in the future of the nation concerning leadership. In addition to ensuring both men and women could participate in voting, the bill also sought to confer congress with power to enforce the article. Congress would exercise these powers through appropriate legislation that ensured the amendment achieved its full aim.
Period of Proposal of the Amendment
The push for equal voting rights for both sexes began as early as the 1820s in the US with the formation of various reform groups. During this period, women were primarily regarded as homemakers and wives, without any regard for their agency. Women were required to stay home and care for their children and husbands. They were not allowed to own property within the country but instead, all the wealth was owned by men. Women were not allowed to have a say in the national issues affecting the country as they could not vote (Davidson et al.). Their views on various nationwide matters were immaterial due to the low regard they had in society. The claim by the drafters of the constitution of the US in 1787 sought to protect women from the evils of politics. Women were also not allowed to vie for public office, a law that angered the initial agitation for woman suffrage. The push for women’s suffrage was largely tied to the agitation against slavery.
The women demanding equal voting rights joined those opposing slavery and their agenda was conjoined in the start. Gradually, the pushes against slavery and for equal voting rights for women were separated as the issue of racism arose. The American civil war was a crucial period for the women’s suffrage movement that initially only had local appeal. The movement gained national appeal after 1865 but was still not strong enough to achieve the objectives set (Davidson et al.). The abolition of slavery in the nation was particularly encouraging for the proponents of the women’s suffrage movement. They felt that their course could also succeed in the same way the push against slavery had passed. Additionally, there was a feeling that if black people could achieve some right within the nation, white women could also gain equality in the eyes of fellow white men. Fast forward to the turn of the 20th century and the change of guard with new leadership, the election of President Wilson was encouraging for the proponents of women’s suffrage.
Proponents of the Amendment and Their Reasons
The 19th amendment initially gained national traction through the actions of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott in 1848 during the Seneca Falls Convention. The two demanded equal involvement for women in voting and their efforts were backed by Susan B. Anthony during these preliminary stages. These activists lobbied the government to grant women equal rights to participate in the nation’s democratic process. The Seneca Falls Convention was the first-ever women’s rights meeting that occurred in the US with more than 300 attendees, mostly women (Davidson et al.). Most delegates at the convention agreed that women should be accorded better education and employment in addition to the right to vote. They also pushed for independent political identities for women separate from those of their husbands and male relatives. Later after the civil war, Stanton and Anthony formed the National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA) which aimed at the federal constitutional amendment.
Lucy Stone and Henry Blackwell also formed their association called the American Woman Suffrage Association (AWSA) after the civil war. The group supported the 15th amendment and believed that women’s suffrage could be achieved at local levels more easily. They encouraged legislation that encouraged state constitutions to make amendments to their constitutions in promoting women’s rights. The NWSA and AWSA later merged to form the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA). The new organization sought to lobby for women’s suffrage at the state level, moving from one to another. Carrie Chapman Catt stepped up in 1900 as Stanton and Antony were of advanced age to lead NAWSA. Stanton’s daughter, Harriot Stanton Blatch, also joined the struggle through the Equality League of Self-Supporting Women later. She introduced processions, pickets, and protests, tactics that created unrest in Washington D.C. (Watson). The Congressional Union for Woman Suffrage was founded by Alice Paul in 1913 and later became the National Woman’s Party. It staged demonstrations and picketed the White House to demand equal rights, including the right for women to become involved in the voting process.
Endorsers and Opposition
The 19th amendment, since its initial inception in the 19th century, had immense support from black people who advocated for the end of racism. The women suffrage and black people struggles were initially conjoined as they demanded freedom from the white supremacists who oppressed them. During the first Seneca Falls Convention, some men attended the meeting, including popular members of the struggle for the freedom of black men. Fredrick Douglass was a former African American slave and an activist who was against the oppression of black people (Davidson et al.). He was part of the 300 people who attended the first meeting which set the course for the 19th amendment. Abigail Adams, the wife to John Adams, also asked her husband to include the plight for women in his views on the course America would take. Wyoming Territory amongst other regions in America was amongst the initial supporters for women suffrage as they supported the course in the onset. Women in this territory were allowed to vote as early as 1869 for their various leaders. President Woodrow Wilson can also be termed a supporter of the course as he urged the Senate to approve the 19th amendment.
The 19th amendment had various opposing groups believed that women were not entitled to voting and contributing to democracy in the US. Notably, the National Association Opposed to Woman Suffrage was focused on opposition to voting for women. The formal organizations against this course were not formed until 1911. Before the formation of organizations, the women’s suffrage course was opposed through the press. The media created cartoons that castigated women who opposed the inequality in the democratic sector of the country. Additionally, religious leaders castigated the women advocating for suffrage through sermons and stern warnings to the women (Wilson). They argued that it was ungodly for women to demand equality with men because the two groups were not the same. The women opposing the suffrage movement also argued that they did not want to get exposed to the evils men combated every day. They stated that women were made as caregivers and homemakers, restating their commitment to bettering their families. Women were perceived to lack sufficient time to vote or follow the changes in the political scene within the country.
Some of the arguments by the anti-suffrage movements were also that women lacked sufficient mental capacity. According to these people, women are incapable of processing complex concepts such as politics and leadership of the nation. Allowing women to vote was argued to have the capacity to double the number of the electorate, increasing the cost of conducting elections. This increase was not deemed to add any substantial value to the nation during the voting process. Some American politicians including members of both houses also opposed the amendment several times by voting against the change.
When it Passed or Failed
Attempts by those supporting women’s suffrage failed miserably many times before their eventual success. Additionally, there were minimal wins for those supporters along the way which encouraged the movement to keep going. At the onset of the movement in the 19th century, the propositions by the pioneers were heavily opposed by various groups. The civil war slowed down the attempts by the proponents as the environment was not ripe to demand change. The push for equal rights was put on temporary hold as the promoters took time to reevaluate the place of women in society and their contribution to the new world order (Davidson et al.). The first world war also threatened the momentum of the women’s suffrage movement as the instability halted efforts. The women were also forced to join other members of the nation, including men who slowed their resolve, in ensuring the nation was stable in the end. In 1918, the amendments went to the House of Representatives with the support of President Wilson and passed. Unfortunately, it failed in the Senate and was therefore not adopted as an amendment of the constitution.
The 19th amendment succeeded in certain parts of the country including the Wyoming Territory, which allowed women Suffrage from its inception. Other states such as the Alaska Territory, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Illinois, Michigan, Montana, and Nebraska, amongst others extended voting for women. This occurred between 1910 and 1918, setting the momentum for the nation to adopt this much-needed change. In 1919, the 19th amendment was brought back to the parliament and both houses passed the bill. The bill passed with more votes than the required two-thirds majority minimum. The amendment was later sent to the states for ratification where it was approved and became part of the American law (Hammonds). By 1920, 35 states had approved the amendment into law, with many southern states opposing the change. Tennessee was the last state relied upon to ratify the document ensuring the required majority is achieved. The changes of such an occurrence were bleak but eventually the bill passed in the state courtesy of Harry Burn. On August 26, 1920, the amendment was certified by the US Secretary of State, enabling over eight million women to vote in 1920.
Why it Passed or Failed
The 19th amendment mainly failed during the preliminary periods due to massive opposition by the anti-suffrage groups against the movement. Additionally, the state of male and white supremacy was also an inhibiting factor to the success of this movement. The men believed they were stronger and more worthy sex compared to women and urged them to remain at home and become homemakers. There was a push for the black people to become equal to their white counterparts regarding democracy in America (Davidson et al.). The groups pushing for women’s suffrage felt that it was improper for black people to attain equality before them and this broke the unity between black people and the women fighting for equality. This division weakened the push and resolve of the groups advocating for equality on democratic fronts. During other times, the push for the adoption of the 19th amendment was derailed by politicians who sought to retain popularity in their states. They opposed the movement in the parliament to ensure that their electorate still voted for them.
The movement succeeded majorly due to the resolve of the proponents. They took a century-long struggle for democratic equality and kept the spirit despite the failures encountered. They weathered the intimidation meted by the press who ridiculed their push and also the religious leaders. The ridicule by society did not hamper the women from pushing for their rights and the attainment of equality. The success of the movement was also contributed by the changes in mindset amongst the people of America (Hammonds). Events of the civil war and the first world war were revolutionary in opening the eyes of the world to the role of women. Their central role in the wars was crucial in ensuring the rest of the world viewed them differently. The success of the movement was also partly due to the change in leadership in America over the years. A century since the onset of the struggle ensured that leaders who were against women were eliminated and open-minded ones took charge.
How it Fits into the US History
The 19th amendment is an essential component of American history and points to the undying spirit of the American people. It is an encouragement for any group pushing for just equality that their efforts are never in vain. It is a reminder that regardless of how long a push takes, success will always be attained. Despite the push for women’s suffrage taking a decade, the proponents never ceased (Davidson et al.). They kept the struggle alive and invited younger generations into the struggle and encouraged them to fight for change. The proponents of women’s suffrage at the start did not get to enjoy the fruits of the struggle as they died right before success was attained. This highlights the essence of selfless sacrifice that is not embedded in the need for personal gratification and praise.
The political climate of that time was characterized by inequality and oppression of various groups including women and black people. The blatant disregard for the rights of some people within the country is outstanding and can act as a guiding light in future struggles (Porter and Munn). Society remains compounded by some inequalities and challenges that threaten some groups. The struggle for women’s suffrage is a source of hope that justice eventually thrives regardless of the duration. The push is a reminder that society is currently as it is due to the efforts of pioneers who put the needs of the nation ahead of personal gain.
Works Cited
Davidson, James West, et al. US: A Narrative History, Volume 2: Since 1865. 9th ed., vol. 2, Mcgraw-Hill Higher Education, 2014.
Hammonds, Evelynn M. “Enshrining Equity in Democracy.” Science, vol. 369, no. 6508, pp. 1147–47, Web.
Porter, Corinne, and Kathleen Munn. Teaching with Documents Forging a Path to the 19th Amendment: Understanding Women’s Suffrage. Web.
Watson, R. P. (2020). The 19th Amendment and women in politics [Presentation]. The Country Club at Mirasol, Palm Beach Gardens, FL, United States. Web.
Wilson, Laura. “100 Years after Suffrage: Just How Far Have Women Come?” Midwest Social Sciences Journal, vol. 23, 2020, pp. 1–12, Web.