The Women’s Rights Movement

Focus Question: What steps were taken to advance the rights of women in the mid-1800s?

Roots of the Women’s Rights Movement Women lacked basic rights in the early 1800s Could not own property Could not vote Could not go to school

Gender Roles Crucial Role for Mothers Men expected to work outside the home Republican Motherhood Wives expected the manage the household Responsible for raising children Responsible for raising “republican” sons Crucial Role for Mothers

Cult of Domesticity Developed from Republican Motherhood Genders had their proper places Men are rough, strong, savage, suited for the world of work Women are calm, nurturing, refined, suited for the home. The woman’s place was in the home A woman could only be fulfilled if she was a wife and mother

Challenges Large numbers of working-class women Second Great Awakening “Lowell girls” Rising economic independence of women Second Great Awakening Religious reform movement Women took leadership roles Gave energy for other reforms

Reforms came slowly Schools slowly opened for women Few coeducational Growth of women’s health Development of Women and Children’s Hospitals The “Bloomer”

Women’s Rights Movement Sparked by a slight Women took a leading role in reform movements, especially abolition Many attended an international conference on abolition in London Refused entry to the main floor Infuriated leader female reformers

Seneca Falls Convention Women’s Rights Convention held in 1848 Promoted a series of women’s issues Property rights Health Education Promoted Women’s Suffrage Shocked the nation

Declaration of Sentiments Patterned after the Declaration of Independence Promoted a call for voting rights for women Developed by Elizabeth Cady Stanton Sparked a 72-year quest to gain women the vote