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A Rhetorical Analysis Of Susan B. Anthony's Speech

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During the nineteenth century, the question of slavery in the United States was growing. As a result, the country was divided, and a new political party, known as the Republican Party, was formed on the basis that slavery should not spread. In 1856, Republican Abraham Lincoln was elected as president. This caused an uprising in the south that led to a civil war. The war raised questions about equality, and women were hoping that it would end with an increase in rights for everyone. Unfortunately, women were left in the same position as before after the war. Thereafter, Suffrage movement was started, working to give women the right to vote. Susan B. Anthony is one of the most well known suffragists; however, many do not realize that she was actively involved in an abundance of other …show more content…

Anthony “made her first speech [with] the daughters of temperance” about the effects of drinking alcohol on families (Lutz 19). To clarify, the Daughters of Temperance were a group of women who sought after laws prohibiting drinking alcohol in the United States. During the time that Anthony made this speech, it was not commonly accepted for a woman to publicly speak; nevertheless, the people who listened were surprised by Anthony’s intelligence on the matter. Her speech raised awareness of the dangers of drinking and sparked her interest in public speaking. Hence, Anthony would perform a series of significant speeches throughout her life.
Susan B. Anthony was also involved in abolition. In 1856, “Anthony became an agent for the American Anti-slavery society” to help free enslaved African Americans (Susan B. Anthony). This was the year that Lincoln was elected as president and the civil war broke out. Abolition was rapidly gaining recognition. As an agent, Anthony protested and detested slavery. Being a part of this movement shows that she believed all people are created equally. Her work in abolition eventually contributed to the emancipation of African

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