Women and the Right to Vote
1848-1920

Lesson adapted form Classroom Connect American Memory

Essential Question

How did all women in the United States eventually gain the right to vote?


Inquiry
Why was the idea of woman suffrage controversial?

Election Day!
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/suffrg:@field(NUMBER+@band(cph+3a51845))


Observation
What led some women to speak up for their rights, including the right to vote?

Anti-Slavery Convention of Women
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/nawbib:@FIELD(AUTHOR+@band(+Anti+slavery+convention+of+American+women.++Philadelphia,++1838.))

First Women's Rights Convention
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/nawbib:@field(NUMBER+@band(rbnawsa+n7548))

Elizabeth Blackwell Letter
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/mcc:@field(DOCID+@lit(mcc/065))

Olympia Brown's Early Impressions
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/nawbib:@field(NUMBER+@band(rbnawsa+n5977))


Analysis
How did suffragists gain support for woman's right to vote?

After viewing the documents, photographs or other images be ready to respond to the following questions:

  1. What tactic did the suffragists use?
  2. Who took part? Individual suffragists? Suffragist organiizations?
  3. Where and when was the tactic used?
  4. Why was each tactic used? Was ist to create publicity? To sway public opinion? To educate the public? To influence public officials to pass legislation? To expand suffrage associations?

Set 1
American Equal Rights Association
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/nawbib:@field(NUMBER+@band(rbnawsa+n3542))

Olympia Brown Campaigns in Kansas
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/nawbib:@field(NUMBER+@band(rbnawsa+n5977))

Post card of Wendell Phillips
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgibin/query/r?ammem/nawbib:@field(NUMBER+@band(rbnawsa+n3028c))

Calling Card of Sojourner Truth\Postcard of Abraham Lincoln Statue
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/nawbib:@field(NUMBER+@band(rbnawsa+n900a))


Set 2
Men Who Love Freedom Postcard
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/nawbib:@field(NUMBER+@band(rbnawsa+n9082))

Set 3
Congressional Action ,1883,1884
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/nawbib:@field(NUMBER+@band(rbnawsa+n8338))

Set 4
Suffrage Parade, New York City
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/suffrg:@field(NUMBER+@band(cph+3a52079))
Set 5
Front Door Lobby:Mrs. Catt's Plan
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/nawbib:@field(NUMBER+@band(rbnawsa+n8361))
Set 6
A Book of Rhymes For Suffrage Times
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/nawbib:@field(NUMBER+@band(rbnawsa+n3348))
Set 7
Front Door Loby:Work in Congress
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/nawbib:@field(NUMBER+@band(rbnawsa+n8361))
Set 8
The First Picket Line
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/suffrg:@field(NUMBER+@band(cph+3a32338))

Synthesis
What tactics would you have used to advance woman suffrage in the various states?

The Women Suffrage Year Book 1917
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/nawbib:@field(NUMBER+@band(rbnawsa+n7468))