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Kirt Tuma

Professor Hastie

History 17B

April 5, 2024

Womens Rights

The 19th century was a significant time for the development of women in the united

states. Life for women in this time period was harder than it was for men. Women faces

numerous challenges which restricted parts of their everyday life which include but not limited to

their social life, political lives, and/or many other aspects in their lives. In addition to, women

were in a battle for gender equality and women’s rights. This essay will give an inside look to

women’s lives in the 19th century and the fight for freedom. We will also discuss what shaped the

future for women’s rights in the United States for the future generation of women

During the 19th century, women were viewed as inferior to men and were expected by

society to take a more traditional role as a stay-at-home wife and/or mother, that takes care of the

house and takes on more of a homemaker role. Men in the 19th century were responsible for

working, and politics. During this time period women were confined to their homes. With

women baring the role of a stay at home wife, it really limited the women opportunities for

education, employment, politics, and voting.

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Overtime time women began to rebel by going against these social norms and were

seeking more rights. In the mid-19th century was the beginning of the women’s right movement

led by women’s right activist Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton sought to challenge

the current patriarchal system by advocating for women’s rights including property rights,

women’s suffrage, and of course access to education. In 1902 Anthony said, “If I In could live

another century! I do so want to see the fruition of the work for women in the past century. There

is so much yet to be done, I see so many things I would like to do and say, but I must leave it for

the younger generation. We old fighters have prepared the way, and it is easier than it was fifty

years ago when I first got into the harness. The young blood, fresh with enthusiasm and with all

the enlightenment of the twentieth century, must carry on the work”

(“Susan B. Anthony Quotes”).

In 1848 was the formal beginning of the women’s right movements, and it stated at the

Seneca Falls Convention, setting the stage for future women activist. In the world of politics

women faced hardship. At the time the constitution didn’t grant women the right to vote leaving

the women largely excluded from the right to vote and the rights to participate in politics and any

decision-making roles. Another movement that shaped women’s rights history is the suffrage

movement which was at its peak in the 19th century culminating in the passage of the 19th

amendment in 1920, granting women the right to finally vote. The milestone was a huge success

for women and showed their perseverance and determination to achieve their goal.

The 19th century witnessed a cultural shift in attitudes towards women and their societal

roles. The emergence of the Cult of Domesticity praised women as caregivers and nurturers,

upholding conventional gender norms. More so, Wikipedia defines the cult of domesticity as, “an
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ideology about the roles proper for white women in the 1800s. This way of thinking promoted

the ideal that wealthy white women should stay at home and should not do any work outside of

the home. This ideology promoted an ideal of separate spheres, in which women remained in the

home and men led out in the world.” (“Cult of domesticity”) Yet, as women started to challenge

these constraints and strive for independence, cultural depictions of women underwent a

transformation. When you think of books such as, Harriet Beecher Stowe's "Uncle Tom's Cabin"

it showed courageous and independent women who challenged conventional societal traditions.

women in the 19th century made strides in other areas, such as education and employment.

Women began to seek higher education and enter professions traditionally dominated by men,

challenging perceptions of women's abilities and roles in society.

In summary, the experiences of women in the 19th century United States were influenced

by a combination of social, political, and cultural factors. Despite facing obstacles and

limitations, women were able to make advancements in their quest for gender equality and rights.

The women's rights movement and suffrage activism were instrumental in challenging the

prevailing patriarchal system and advocating for greater rights and opportunities for women. The

progress made by women in the 19th century laid the foundation for future advancements in the

fight for gender equality and empowerment. As Gloria Steinem quotes, “The first problem for all

of us, men and women, is not to learn, but to unlearn” (“Gloria Steinem: 10 Quotes from the

front line of fight for equality”).

The women's rights movement and suffrage activism played a key role in challenging the

dominant patriarchal system and pushing for increased rights and opportunities for women.

Susan B Anthony, changed the course of voting for women and by doing so women have the
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same freedom and voting rights as men do thanks to her courageous behavior. She was really

well known for helping women get the right to vote. The advancements made by women in the

19th century set the stage for future strides towards gender equality and empowerment. Without

the movement and the cultural changes, women might not have the right to vote today.

If women never had the right to vote, they wouldn’t have been able to run for political

office. For example, we have our first vice president whom is a women named Kamala Harris. If

it wasn’t for Susan B Anthony, women might not have been able to achieve their goal of getting

in to office and indulging in politics. Women have came along way over the last hundred years

and we can attribute these successes to important women in the course of our history. If these

women never came forward and spoke their mind who knows were they would be today. If it

wasn’t for the women speaking up against cultural norms, life would look different today.

Women’s rights are important in society because they ensure women the right to vote,

equal opportunity, and the right to not be discriminated. If people speak up and advocate for

women more, we can ensure equality for women. Without equal rights women become

oppressed and slaves to society. Ensuring that all women have the same and equal rights as men

is important in today’s society to guarantee the success and prosperity of women for future

generations. When women are empowered with equal opportunity they thrive economically,

socially, and mentally. In conclusion, women’s rights are just as important as men’s. By

respecting the way women feel and honoring their perspectives we can grow as a society and

develop as humans. All people’s rights are important, and we should always respect one another.
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Work Cited

“Susan B Anthony Quotes.” National Susan B Anthony Museum and House,

https://susanb.org/susan-b-anthony-quotes/

“Ten Quotes from the front line of fight for equality.” Equality Now, 25 March 2020,

https://equalitynow.org/news_and_insights/gloria_steinem_quotes/

“The Cult of Domesticity.” Wikipedia, https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cult_of_domesticity