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How Did Suffragists Contribute To The Enfranchisement Of Women?

Decent Essays

Suffragists advocated for women 's enfranchisement to not only secure political rights for female, but also for social equality between genders. This is supported by the information that is outlined in the Declaration of Sentiments, which was written during the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848. As a matter of fact, this convention initiated and set the notion of women 's enfranchisement into motion. In the declaration, pro-suffragist men and women implied that females were not treated equally to their male peers but repressed by the traditional values and ideas of the society. They also suggested that a woman did not have a legal entity under the law. Thus, the individual freedoms which are outlined in the Bill of Rights did not directly apply to women. Suffragists were convinced that in order to improve the social conditions of women, it was necessary for her to be politically represented, which can only be achieved by gaining the right to vote. It is essential to note that when referring to the social conditions, suffragists are pointing out issues, such as, women receiving smaller wages than men. Other social issues include: women having to give up the full child custody to her husband after divorce; women being discouraged from attending higher educational institutes; and more. The opponents of the suffragists were the anti-suffragists who campaigned to prevent the success of women 's enfranchisement but ultimately benefited the movement. This opposition is the

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