The Progressive Era Women’s Suffrage and Prohibition

Votes for Women For over 50 years, women in the United States had been fighting for the right to vote in elections For over 50 years, women in the United States had been fighting for the right to vote in elections Election reforms that took place in 1903 still left women without the right to vote many women became determined to change that. Election reforms that took place in 1903 still left women without the right to vote many women became determined to change that.

Opposition to Women’s Suffrage Those strongly opposed to women’s suffrage argued that women had no need to vote, and that men would protect their rights. Those strongly opposed to women’s suffrage argued that women had no need to vote, and that men would protect their rights. They also argued that women involved in politics would neglect their homes and children. They also argued that women involved in politics would neglect their homes and children.

Arguments for Women’s Suffrage Suffragists argued that if women had the right to vote they would be more effective in their traditional roles Suffragists argued that if women had the right to vote they would be more effective in their traditional roles They claimed women could vote for better schools, more playground, safer parks, and improved public health They claimed women could vote for better schools, more playground, safer parks, and improved public health They also argued that if a woman could be held legally responsible for her actions, she should be able to vote. They also argued that if a woman could be held legally responsible for her actions, she should be able to vote.

Women Gain the Right to Vote In 1918, Texas women made a deal with the new governor, William P. Hobby that would lead to women gaining the right to vote in Texas. In 1918, Texas women made a deal with the new governor, William P. Hobby that would lead to women gaining the right to vote in Texas. In 1920, the Nineteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution granted full voting rights to women. In 1920, the Nineteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution granted full voting rights to women. Gov. William P. Hobby

Prohibition The sale and drinking of alcoholic beverages became a major issue in Texas during the progressive era. The sale and drinking of alcoholic beverages became a major issue in Texas during the progressive era. Organizations such as the Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU), the Anti- Saloon League and church groups worked to pass a law to prohibit alcoholic beverages. Organizations such as the Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU), the Anti- Saloon League and church groups worked to pass a law to prohibit alcoholic beverages.

Arguments for Prohibition Groups in favor of prohibition argued that alcohol was at the center of many social problems Groups in favor of prohibition argued that alcohol was at the center of many social problems Saloons were associated with gambling and crime Saloons were associated with gambling and crime Many groups argued that men would spend their money on alcohol, leaving their family without money to live Many groups argued that men would spend their money on alcohol, leaving their family without money to live

Opposition to Prohibition The brewing industry opposed prohibition, as did many immigrants from Europe including Italians and Germans The brewing industry opposed prohibition, as did many immigrants from Europe including Italians and Germans Many conservatives who opposed a strong federal government felt the government should not have the power to decide what they could and could not drink Many conservatives who opposed a strong federal government felt the government should not have the power to decide what they could and could not drink

Prohibition Laws In 1918, Texas approved a statewide prohibition law making it illegal to make and sell alcohol in Texas In 1918, Texas approved a statewide prohibition law making it illegal to make and sell alcohol in Texas In 1919 the Eighteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution made prohibition the law of the land. In 1919 the Eighteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution made prohibition the law of the land. The 18 th amendment was an unpopular law and it was eventually repealed in The 18 th amendment was an unpopular law and it was eventually repealed in 1933.