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The Position of Women in 1865 - Coggle Diagram
The Position of Women in 1865
Political participation
Seneca Falls
:
a convention that was held to discuss women’s suffrage in 1848
it put the issue of women’s suffrage on a national level
If women had the vote, they would bring compassion and social concerns to hear on political decisions
A notable African American campaigner was Sojourner Truth, but the main instigators of the Seneca Falls convention, which led to regular meetings, were middle-class white women like Elizabeth Cady Stanton.
The cause of women’s rights had able and eloquent leaders to act as role models for later campaigners.
The impact of the Civil War
Harriet Beecher Stowe’s famous novel,
Uncle Tom’s Cabin (1852)
, had done much
to publicise opposition to slavery.
Many women wanted to vote in order to protest about slavery.
However, the men who led the abolitionist movement were not altogether comfortable when the cause of women’s rights became associated with the cause of the abolition of slavery.
Active abolition leaders did not want to lose support by making it appear that abolitionists were also feminists.
How did the Civil War affect women?
Total war. Life was completely disrupted by war.
Women were not able to fight, but they set up charitable organisations and did lots of fundraising to support soldiers on both sides.
About 200 women fought in the war by lying about their gender/age
In the North, when men were away, women had to run the home.
In the South, when men were away, women had to run the farms.
Economic and social developments
There had been the development of urbanisation new technology bringing easier
communication, greater literacy and better education for women before 1865.
With greater prosperity, more middle-class women did not work outside the home
Women in public affairs before the Civil War
Prohibition
Shows they have a voice, just like men.
Do not need men. They are capable of lecturing, campaigning.
Slavery
Even though slavery became illegal in 1865, following Lincolns Emancipation Proclamation, women did not stop campaigning
In the South, women had meetings about why slavery is essential.
In the North, women joined abolitionist campaigns
Religion
Shows they have an influence over the young generation
Can set things up without men
Campaigns
:
chairty
Bible studying and Teaching
Fought against prostitution
Passed on knowledge about motherhood
Women being the Moral Sex:
women involved in moral issues were in the minority
They needed their voice heard on a state and national level