American Woman Suffrage Association

Definition

The American Woman Suffrage Association (AWSA) was an organization founded in 1869 that aimed to secure women's right to vote in the United States. It focused on a state-by-state strategy to gain voting rights for women and was a key player in the broader women's rights movement, working alongside other suffrage organizations while advocating for equality and social justice.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. AWSA was established in response to the divisions within the suffrage movement following the Civil War, particularly over issues like race and voting rights.
2. The organization adopted a more moderate approach compared to its counterpart, the National Woman Suffrage Association, focusing on winning suffrage state by state rather than pushing for a federal amendment immediately.
3. AWSA played a crucial role in lobbying state legislatures and organizing grassroots campaigns that led to local victories in women's suffrage.
4. The organization was instrumental in uniting women from various backgrounds, including abolitionists and temperance advocates, under the common goal of achieving voting rights.
5. In 1890, AWSA merged with NWSA to form the National American Woman Suffrage Association, creating a more unified front for the suffrage movement.

Review Questions

• How did the founding of the American Woman Suffrage Association reflect the divisions within the suffrage movement after the Civil War?
  • The founding of AWSA highlighted significant divisions within the suffrage movement, particularly regarding race and voting rights. After the Civil War, some suffragists felt that women's rights should be prioritized over African American men's right to vote, which led to different strategies between AWSA and more radical groups like NWSA. AWSA's focus on a state-by-state approach indicated a desire for broader coalition-building and compromise within the movement.
• Evaluate how AWSA's strategy of focusing on state-by-state campaigns impacted the overall success of the women’s suffrage movement.
  • AWSA's strategy of focusing on state-by-state campaigns allowed for targeted advocacy and local victories that helped build momentum for women's suffrage. By securing voting rights incrementally in various states, AWSA created models of success that inspired further activism. This approach also enabled them to engage with local communities and lawmakers directly, fostering relationships that were crucial in gaining wider acceptance of women's voting rights over time.
• Analyze the significance of the merger between AWSA and NWSA in 1890 for the future of women's suffrage in America.
  • The merger between AWSA and NWSA in 1890 was a pivotal moment for women's suffrage in America as it united two significant factions of the movement into a single organization, the National American Woman Suffrage Association. This consolidation created a more powerful lobbying body that could effectively advocate for suffrage at both state and national levels. The collaboration harnessed diverse strategies and resources, ultimately contributing to the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920, which granted women nationwide voting rights.

Related terms

National Woman Suffrage Association: Founded in 1869 by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, this organization aimed for a constitutional amendment to grant women the right to vote, adopting a more radical approach compared to AWSA.

19th Amendment: Ratified in 1920, this amendment granted women the legal right to vote in the United States, marking a significant victory for the suffrage movement.

Seneca Falls Convention: Held in 1848, this was the first women's rights convention in the U.S., which laid the groundwork for future suffrage efforts and included the famous Declaration of Sentiments advocating for women's equality.