The Woman Suffrage Party of New York. “Women in the Home.” New York, New York, c 1915.Gilder Lehrman Collection

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The Woman Suffrage Party of New York. “Women in the Home.” New York, New York, c 1915.Gilder Lehrman Collection

Introduction

Suffrage is the legal right to vote in the political elections. In modern world every citizen who has attained the age of adulthood is eligible to vote irrespective of the gender and age. But this was not the case for the early civilization. There were restrictions on casting of votes on the basis of race and sex. Women were not allowed to come out of their homes. There were no rights for women and they were not allowed to cast vote. During the World Wars, when the men were away fighting, there was a need to run state, laborers were required, at that time most of the people left behind were, old men, children and women. In these worst circumstances when there was unemployment and hunger, women came out their house and took various jobs. In the beginning choice of occupation was limited for women but later they began to join fields which were only supposed to be men's jobs. This gave them confidence and for the first time women realized the need for recognition of their rights. At the end of World War I women's suffrage is accepted in some countries. According to Peterson women's suffrage became active in America during nineteenth century when European immigrants were incorporating political movements to gain American nationality (Peterson, A. 2011, pp.5-23). After Civil War, Black men were given the rights to vote, this broke the argument that if black men can cast vote women should also be given this chance. This resulted in the formation of two organizations “National Woman Suffrage Association” and “American Suffrage Woman Association”. (Fischer, G. V. 1995 pp.172)

Discussion

Women's Activism

Nineteenth century was the time of great changes. After World War I various geographical, political, social and economical changes were occurring all over the world. People were fighting for their rights. This provided grounds for the women to stand for their rights. This is known as the progressive era. After “American Revolution” women were allowed to cast vote only in New Jersey. Lucy Stone, Elizabeth candy Stanton, Lucretia Mott and Susan B. Antony were the main women activists who brought this issue into notice. In 1848 at Seneca Falls convention in New York was attended and attendees signed a document named “Declaration of Rights and Sentiments” to achieve the right of suffrage. It was not easy to accept women rights by the male dominated society. There were various campaigns, hunger strikes and parades for the struggle of women's rights. Frost and Cullen provide the complete chronological history of women suffrage in New York during 1907-1916 and events of strike and parade (Frost-K, E. and Cullen-, K. 2009, pp.292-324)

Women in the Home

Various campaign materials were used to emphasize the need for recognition of women's rights, especially the right to participate in vote ...