When did Women Get the Right to Vote in America

When Did Women Get the Right to Vote in America? A Comprehensive History

The 19th Amendment to the US Constitution, ratified in 1920, legally guaranteed women the right to vote across the United States. However, many women, particularly women of colour, still faced significant barriers to voting even after this. This was a result of discriminatory state laws and practices, such as "literacy tests", poll taxes, and threats of violence. To fully understand this complex history, and the continued struggle for voting rights, keep reading for a more in-depth view.

The fight for women's suffrage in the United States was a long and arduous journey, marked by decades of activism, strategic campaigns, and significant legal battles. While the 19th Amendment, ratified in 1920, legally guaranteed women's right to vote nationwide, this milestone was not the end of the struggle. It is important to understand that the 19th Amendment guaranteed the right to vote rather than granting it. The battle for voting rights was intertwined with the broader movements for women's rights and social change. Furthermore, even after the 19th Amendment, many women, particularly women of colour, were unable to exercise their right to vote due to discriminatory laws and practices.

Early Seeds of the Movement (Mid-19th Century)

The demand for women's suffrage grew from the broader movement for women's rights, which emerged in the mid-19th century. The Seneca Falls Convention in 1848 is considered the first women's rights convention in the U.S., and it was here that a resolution in favour of women's suffrage was first proposed. The convention produced the Declaration of Sentiments, which outlined the grievances and demands of the women's rights movement, including the right to vote. In 1850, the first National Women's Rights Convention took place, and suffrage became a key focus. Early activists often used the term "woman suffrage," but historians generally use the term "women's suffrage". Key figures like Lucy Stone contributed significantly to the movement, with her speech, "Shall Women Have the Right to Vote?", highlighting the importance of suffrage.

Initially, the women’s rights movement was closely linked to the abolitionist movement. However, during the Civil War, women’s rights activities were largely suspended to focus on abolishing slavery. In 1863, Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton organized the Women’s Loyal National League, the first national women’s political organization in the U.S.. The League collected nearly 400,000 signatures on petitions to abolish slavery, demonstrating the power of organized political action. The movement also began to shift from moral arguments to political action, recognizing the need for legal and political change to achieve equality.

The Fight for Suffrage: Strategies and Tactics

Suffragists employed diverse strategies and tactics in their pursuit of the vote. These included:

• State-by-state campaigns: Many suffragists worked to pass suffrage acts at the state level.
• Challenging male-only voting laws in the courts: Some activists attempted to use the legal system to challenge the exclusion of women from the electorate.
• Confrontational tactics: The National Woman’s Party (NWP), led by Alice Paul, employed more confrontational tactics, such as picketing the White House, holding silent vigils, and going on hunger strikes when arrested.
• Forming Organizations: The New England Woman Suffrage Association (NEWSA) was formed in 1868 as the first major political organization in the U.S. with women’s suffrage as its goal.

The Woman Suffrage Amendment was first introduced in Congress in 1878, marking a long and arduous legislative battle. In 1890, rival suffrage organizations merged to form the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA), which worked to advance the cause of women's suffrage. Key figures like Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Alice Paul led these efforts. The NWP and their "Silent Sentinels" picketed the White House, leading to arrests and public attention. "Consciousness-raising" groups also played a role by providing a space for women to discuss the ways in which sexism had impacted their lives.

Opposition to women's suffrage was strong, with suffragists facing heckling, imprisonment, and abuse . Anti-suffrage movements also organized, arguing that women’s suffrage would undermine traditional gender roles and the social order.

The 19th Amendment: Passage and Ratification

In 1919, the House of Representatives and the Senate passed the Woman Suffrage Amendment. The amendment then needed to be ratified by three-fourths of the states. On 18 August, 1920, Tennessee became the 36th state to ratify the amendment, thereby achieving the required threshold for ratification . The key clause of the 19th Amendment reads: "The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex".

Despite this national passage, many states continued to discriminate against women.

Limitations and Continued Struggles

Despite the ratification of the 19th Amendment, full enfranchisement was not achieved for all women. Many women of color were still unable to vote due to discriminatory state voting laws. In particular, Black women in the South faced significant barriers, including "white primaries," "literacy tests," and threats of violence. Poll taxes also disenfranchised women . Native American women also faced barriers to voting, with many not eligible to vote until the 1924 Indian Citizenship Act, and even then, some states barred Native Americans from voting unless they had assimilated into American culture . The struggle for voting rights for all women and minorities continued long after the passage of the 19th Amendment, with the Voting Rights Act of 1965 playing a crucial role in further protecting these rights.

State-by-State Suffrage

Prior to the 19th Amendment, several states and territories granted women the right to vote, often in response to local campaigns:

• Wyoming was the first territory to grant women suffrage in 1869.
• Utah granted women the right to vote in 1870.
• Colorado granted women the right to vote in 1893.
• Idaho granted women the right to vote in 1896 .
• Washington granted women the right to vote in 1910.
• California granted women the right to vote in 1911.
• Oregon granted women the right to vote in 1912.
• Arizona granted women the right to vote in 1912.
• Kentucky passed the first statewide woman suffrage law in 1838, that allowed voting by any widow or feme sole over 21 who resided in and owned property subject to taxation for the county's "common school" system.

More details on the specific timelines for each state can be found in the resources listed at the end of this article.

The Women's Liberation Movement

The women’s liberation movement, also known as the women’s rights movement, emerged around 1960-1980. While groups like the National Organization for Women (NOW) focused on issues of women’s rights, more radical groups pursued women’s liberation. Liberation groups formed in various cities, including Chicago, Toronto, Seattle, and Detroit. The Redstockings, a radical liberation group, published the “Bitch Manifesto” and focused on issues such as the politics of housework, abortion, and violence against women.

The Impact of Women's Suffrage

The passage of the 19th Amendment was a transformative moment, with over 8 million women voting in the 1920 elections . Women's participation in elections grew significantly after 1980 and this has been accompanied by a "voting gender gap", with women leaning towards the Democratic party and men tending to lean Republican . However, women's suffrage did not immediately bring widespread social change . The long-term impact includes increased participation of women in political and public life as well as the passage of further legislation relating to gender equality and other socio-economic impacts . The passage of the 19th Amendment is associated with increases in children’s education .

The Queer History of Suffrage

It is also important to note the contributions of queer women to the suffrage movement. Many prominent suffragists had relationships with other women. These relationships have often been overlooked or erased from historical narratives, but are increasingly being acknowledged as an important part of the movement's history.

Conclusion

The 19th Amendment represents a critical milestone in the fight for women's rights in America, but it was not the end of the struggle. It took decades of activism, strategic campaigns, and legal battles to achieve this victory. Even after 1920, many women, especially women of color, continued to face barriers to voting. Vigilance remains necessary to protect voting rights for all citizens, and contemporary activists continue working to make participation truly accessible. The legacy of the women's suffrage movement continues to inspire efforts for social justice and equality for all.

Keywords:

Women's suffrage, 19th Amendment, right to vote, women's rights, Seneca Falls Convention, National Woman's Party, NAWSA, Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Alice Paul, voting rights, women of color, poll tax, literacy tests, discriminatory laws, voting gender gap, women's liberation movement, equal rights, state suffrage.

Frequently Asked Questions:

• When did women get the right to vote in the USA?

  • The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1920, legally guaranteed women the right to vote. However, this was not the end of the struggle, as many women, particularly women of color, were still prevented from voting due to discriminatory state laws and practices.

• What is the 19th Amendment?

  • The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution states that "The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex". It prohibited denying the right to vote based on gender.

• Did all women get the right to vote in 1920?

  • No. While the 19th Amendment granted women the legal right to vote, many women, particularly women of color, were still unable to vote due to discriminatory state laws and practices. These included things like "white primaries," "literacy tests," and threats of violence.

• Why did it take so long for women to get the right to vote?

  • The fight for women's suffrage was a long and difficult one due to a number of factors:
    • Strong opposition to women's involvement in public affairs: Many people at the time believed that women should not be involved in politics and that their proper place was in the home.
    • Prejudice against women: Women were seen as inferior to men and incapable of making informed decisions about political issues .
    • Complex legal landscape: The U.S. is a federal system, with different laws in different states, making it difficult to achieve a national change in voting laws.
    • Resistance from political forces: Powerful interest groups, like those who profited from child labor, opposed women's suffrage because of a fear women would be able to outlaw child labor if they had the vote.

• What was the Seneca Falls Convention?

  • The Seneca Falls Convention in 1848 was the first women's rights convention in the U.S. It was where the "Declaration of Sentiments" was created, which formally demanded women's right to vote. However, the convention did not address the racism and oppression specifically faced by Black women.

• Who were some key figures in the women's suffrage movement?

  • Some of the key figures included:
    • Elizabeth Cady Stanton: A key organizer of the Seneca Falls Convention and a leader in the women's rights movement.
    • Susan B. Anthony: A prominent activist and organizer who worked tirelessly for women's suffrage.
    • Lucy Stone: An early suffragist who focused on state-level campaigns.
    • Alice Paul: A leader of the National Woman's Party who used more confrontational tactics to advocate for the vote.
    • Ida B. Wells: A Black journalist and anti-lynching advocate who also fought for voting rights for Black women.

• What were some of the tactics used by the suffragists?

  • Suffragists used a variety of tactics, including:
    • State-by-state campaigns: Working to pass suffrage laws in individual states.
    • Petitions to Congress: Gathering signatures to support a constitutional amendment.
    • Rallies, speeches, and conventions: Raising public awareness and building support.
    • Civil disobedience: Such as picketing the White House and attempting to vote illegally.
    • Forming organizations: Creating groups like the NAWSA, NWP and state-specific groups to lobby government officials for voting rights.

• What was the National Woman's Party (NWP)?

  • The NWP was a more radical suffrage organization, led by Alice Paul, that used more confrontational tactics like picketing the White House and going on hunger strikes. They also formed the "Silent Sentinels", who were known for protesting in front of the White House and other government buildings.

• What was the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA)?

  • NAWSA was formed in 1890 by the merging of two rival suffrage groups. It focused on a more moderate approach by lobbying government officials at the state and federal level.

• How did racism affect the women's suffrage movement?

  • The women's suffrage movement was often divided along racial lines. Many white suffragists did not want to advocate for the rights of Black women, and some even used racist arguments to try to gain support for their cause. Black women formed their own suffrage organizations to fight for their rights.

• What were "literacy tests" and poll taxes?

  • "Literacy tests" and poll taxes were discriminatory practices used in some states to prevent African Americans and other minorities from voting. Poll taxes required people to pay a fee to vote, and literacy tests required them to demonstrate a certain level of reading ability. The tests were often unfairly administered. These practices continued even after the 19th amendment.

• What is the "women's liberation movement"?

  • The women's liberation movement, also known as the women's rights movement, emerged in the 1960s and 1970s. It focused on a wide range of issues, including gender inequality in the workplace, reproductive rights, and violence against women. It had both moderate and radical factions.

• What is meant by “Queering the suffrage movement?”

  • "Queering the suffrage movement" is a recent effort by scholars to highlight the contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals to the suffrage movement. It acknowledges that many suffragists challenged gender norms and had same-sex relationships, though these aspects of their lives have been historically overlooked.

• How did the 19th Amendment affect the size and scope of government?

  • One study shows that women's suffrage increased state government expenditures and tax revenue, and states with full suffrage had higher education spending and lower rates of child labor.

• Where can I find more information about the women's suffrage movement?

  • You can find more information in the sources listed below and at the end of this response, or through these links:
    • National Archives: 19th Amendment
    • Library of Congress: Seneca Falls and Building a Movement, 1776–1890 Early Feminist Inspirations
    • National Women's History Museum: Pathways to Equality: The U.S. Women's Rights Movement Emerges
    • Mapping American Social Movements Project: Timeline and Map of Woman Suffrage Legislation.