Women's Rights In Elizabeth Cady Stanton And The Declaration Of Independence

In the late Nineteenth century, women were beginning to become more progressive in their actions. They began to stand up for themselves and fight for their rights. In the late 1850’s, Elizabeth Cady Stanton was one of the more prominent women to do so. She worked with Susan B. Anthony to deliver a majority of the population the rights that they rightfully deserved. Her actions are important in the United States’ History because they helped to encourage women to form the Women’s Suffrage Movement. Many Scholars have written about her, but simply with a different lens of focus. For example, they have written about her use of the bicycle in her campaign and her unique stance on religion. It is important to continue studying her actions because the issues she was fighting for back then, such as: the abolition of capital punishment, and an end to police brutality, are still issues today. Perhaps if the people of the United States today collectively took after her intrepid and forward thinking attitude in life, there could be more positive change in this country.

had 10 brothers and sisters, but only one brother. Her only brother died at the age of

Elizabeth Cady Stanton was not just a mother, daughter, feminist, and writer; but she is the woman who changed the lives of women everywhere by fighting for equality. Stanton lived a normal childhood, but one that motivated her to never give up hope in reaching her goal. A quick background of her life will help better understand why she became such a powerful woman’s rights activist. Also, what she accomplished that changed history and how it still affects us today in 2011. I will also express my individual satisfaction with what this incredible woman has done for women everywhere. On November 12, 1815 Elizabeth Cady Stanton was born to the Cady family in Johnstown, New York (Gordon, 2009). She was born into a high-class, conservative,

There have been many great feminists throughout history, who have changed and shaped society, all who have worked toward one goal, to empower women all over the world. One of these women, Elizabeth Stanton who fought for women’s suffrage was able to shape the way a nation perceived and fought for the rights of their people, allowing the women of today to benefit from her accomplishments on a substantial scale.

The Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776 in gave reasons why the United States believed its relationship with Britain could no longer work. The Declaration’s language appealed to enlightenment ideals and liberty rhetoric: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” (Declaration of Independence). Unfortunately, these rights were not given to women, the modern interpretation of this passage gives these rights to both men and women. Once Elizabeth Cady Stanton published her writings, Declaration of Sentiments, it received backlash from men. James Gordon Bennett wrote an article in New York’s Herald criticizing it. “The sentiments and doctrines

The ideals in the Declaration were not fulfilled because women did not have equal political or social rights, or even a bare minimum say in the issues that dominated society. Document 1 is a fantastic example of this, and states the inequality in its text- “It is considered improper for women to speak in public.” Published in 1848, it provides context for the Seneca Falls convention that would occur to bring attention to the issue of lack of human rights for women. Women had little to no say in society at the time, which then meant that their words had no value and that their opinions would never be considered as salient as those of men. This can be considered the definition of inequality, thought the Declaration of independence says otherwise. Document 3 makes a similar claim to that of the previous document, that women’s voices held no significance- “...He has made her, if married, in the eye of the law, civilly dead.” Women, after marriage, were considered bound to their husbands and his needs. There was no need for a woman to engage in outside activities at that time, and therefore she was to stay home and take care of the children. This meant that women had little opportunity to go as far as men with politically-oriented lives could. This kept in mind, women had a low place in society and had to endure inequality in a ‘free’ country. Document 1 was published by an education project and brought attention to the many reasons for an instigation of public interest in women’s rights. It lists the many reasons for women to be upset at the empty promises states by the Declaration Of Independence, and quotes a civil occurence to back the authenticity of these claims. This document, as stated previously, provides context for the Seneca Falls convention and the rising intolerance for inequality. It has a large chance of being

When slavery was abolished, people finally managed to realize one simple thing- its just a pigment in our skin that makes us different. But why couldn 't they realize another thing- its just our sex organs that make us different? Until the fairly recent 1920, women and men were held so different they were not even allowed to cast their ballots for the president of the United States. It drove some women, such as Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B Anthony to start extremely important conventions that even led to a movement. Their supporters were often arrested just for just speaking out for equality. Women finally gained suffrage in the United States due to the National Women’s Rights Convention, American Equal Rights Association, and hard headed women who took a stand for their right to vote.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton forever changed the social and political landscape of the United States of America by succeeding in her work to guarantee rights for women and slaves. Elizabeth Cady Stanton was a leader in the 19th century for women’s activist and women’s suffrage leader. As an active American abolitionist, she gave many lectures and wrote books. Among those fighting for women’s rights, she was a primary leader. Though she was interested in women’s rights from many perspectives, Elizabeth realized that success hinged on women’s right to vote. Elizabeth often worked with Susan B. Anthony as a theorist and writer. Elizabeth was a very important person to the women’s rights movement, because she fought for equal rights of women to be considered equal to a man. Stanton’s unwavering dedication to women’s suffrage resulted in the 19th amendment to the Constitution, which granted that right. These facts will present to you the difficulties she encountered and her contributions.

In 1776, The Declaration of Independence was written by one of the superior writers in that time, Thomas Jefferson. The Declaration of Independence clearly stated that the colonies became an independent nation. By declaring independence, many men were inspired to fight for the cause, but also angered those who were left out of the rights. The words, “All men are created equal,” caused antagonism and annoyance throughout the colonies to those who did not fall in the social class of white men in the age of 21 and owned property. Source B refers to the letter written by Abigail Adams to John Adams about establishing rights for women. On the other hand, Source C is a Slave Petition that mentions the results of slavery and their little known rights.

    Elizabeth Cady Stanton was one of the most renowned women to lead campaigns for women’s rights. Her efforts were focused on "opportunities for women, for married women’s property rights, the right to divorce, and the right to custody of children; her most radical demand was for women’s right to vote" (Davidson and Wagner-Martin 845). In general Stanton wished to instill independence and self-reliance in all women. Stanton was an inspiring orator of speeches including the Declaration of Sentiments as well as the book The Women’s Bible. Upon analysis of her speeches and other works, as well as gaining knowledge of her background, one is able to assume that

Lois W. Banner is the author of "Elizabeth Cady Stanton: A Radical for Women 's Rights". She is also the author of many other books based on women, such as "Women in Modern America: A Brief History". Banner wrote this book in order to showcase to the world all of the situatuions that Elizabeth Cady Stanton faced and overcame. This very informative novel shows how Stanton has had doors opened for the population of women. She received her PhD at Columbia University. As a history professor at the University of Southern California, Louis W. Banner teaches on topics that include gender and sexuality and studies of women. Having strong interests in these subjects makes an important woman such as Elizabeth Cady Stanton stand out to Banner. Being that they are both women and both feminist makes Stanton even more relatable to Banner.

In the speech “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July” by Frederick Douglass and the writing from the Declaration of Sentiments of the Seneca Falls Woman's Rights Convention by Elizabeth Cady Stanton they both show many of the same views and beliefs. Stanton and Douglass both had different reasons for their beliefs and different reasons for what they are sticking up for.

Thanks to Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and many other women rights activists, from 1880-1910, the percentage of employed females rose about 300% (“Women’s Suffrage in the Progressive Era”). Throughout the women’s rights movement, Stanton influenced many females to fight for what they believed in, from better job opportunities, to voting rights, to divorce rights, and more. Stanton is one of the females who started the women’s rights movement in the late 1800s (Foner and Garraty). Elizabeth Cady Stanton had an influential early life, was involved heavily in the women’s rights movement, and had many different beliefs that were the basis of the movement.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton didn’t want to be remembered as a household but the women they will admire. The purpose of this paper is to explain the life of Elizabeth Stanton and how she had a huge effect on the outcome of seeking equal rights for woman.

By the 1770s, America had become a free nation. Everyone wanted to be a part of the new, free way of thinking. In 1776, The Declaration of Independence was created by Thomas Jefferson. It was a distinct document created to explain the rights of both men and women in America. This was the first time in history that women were actually given the chance to have rights “equal” to those of men. Later in history, we find that those rights weren’t always carried out for women. For example, women were not always allowed to vote in America, but according to the declaration, they had “Freedom of Speech”. By not having the right to vote, women’s voices were silenced in the American society. Therefore the so called “equal rights” had no meaning according to women. The most famous excerpt from the Declaration of Independence is found in its second paragraph. This paragraph reads,