1. Presidential Decisions: #28 Woodrow Wilson (D-NJ)

2. Decision: Reversing his position to come out in favor of women’s suffrage

3. Historical Circumstances (1/3): The Women’s Rights Movement in the United States began in 1848, with the Seneca Falls Convention, led by women’s rights leaders, such as Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. At that meeting, the Declaration of Sentiments was written, demanding social and legal equality for women, including suffrage—or the right to vote. At that meeting, the Declaration of Sentiments was written, demanding social and legal equality for women, including suffrage—or the right to vote. Qualifications for voting and voter registration is under control of state governments. By 1900, the only states that allowed women to voter were new states in the West. In the East, politicians refused. Qualifications for voting and voter registration is under control of state governments. By 1900, the only states that allowed women to voter were new states in the West. In the East, politicians refused.

4. Historical Circumstances (2/3): Around 1900 two new groups of women’s rights crusaders emerged, together called the suffragettes. They began the Women’s Suffrage Movement, one group organized to get states to give them the vote, the other seeking a Constitutional amendment. Wilson supported states deciding for themselves to grant women’s suffrage. But his party was divided on a constitutional amendment. Southern Democrats viewed it as a states’ rights issue and Wilson refused to go against his Party in support on an amendment.

5. Historical Circumstances (3/3): A group of suffragettes put pressure on Wilson by picketing the White House (first group to ever do so). Their campaign attacking Wilson and the Democrats gained publicity. Wilson still held off until he knew there was enough support from Northern Democrats to propose an amendment. In a 1918 speech to the House, he asked for a bill proposing an amendment. It passed in that year, but took until 1919 for the required 2/3 approval in the Senate to officially propose it. In 1920, 3/4’s of the states ratified the proposed change and the 13 th Amendment gave American women the vote.

6. SPECIFIC long-term effects (1/2): After women achieved the right to vote, their role in society began to change. More women began to receive advanced education. More women began to receive advanced education. Women started getting more employment opportunities over time. Women started getting more employment opportunities over time. Some women started political careers. The first woman in the House was elected in 1916, from Montana (a state that gave women the right vote before the amendment); the first female Senator was elected in 1922 (from Georgia). Two women have run for Vice-President (but didn’t win) and none have for President (yet). Some women started political careers. The first woman in the House was elected in 1916, from Montana (a state that gave women the right vote before the amendment); the first female Senator was elected in 1922 (from Georgia). Two women have run for Vice-President (but didn’t win) and none have for President (yet).