Susan B. Anthony

Definition

Susan B. Anthony was a prominent American social reformer and women's rights activist who played a crucial role in the women's suffrage movement in the United States. She dedicated her life to advocating for women's right to vote, co-founding the National Woman Suffrage Association and leading campaigns that challenged legal restrictions on women's voting rights. Anthony's tireless efforts helped lay the groundwork for the eventual passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920, which granted women the right to vote.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Susan B. Anthony was born on February 15, 1820, in Adams, Massachusetts, and was raised in a Quaker family that emphasized equality.
2. In 1872, Anthony famously voted illegally in the presidential election, leading to her arrest and a trial that brought national attention to the suffrage movement.
3. Anthony worked closely with other suffragists like Elizabeth Cady Stanton, with whom she published 'The Revolution,' a weekly newspaper advocating for women's rights.
4. Her efforts extended beyond suffrage; she also advocated for abolition, temperance, and labor rights, making her a key figure in multiple social reform movements.
5. Although Susan B. Anthony passed away in 1906, her legacy lived on as her work significantly influenced the eventual passage of the 19th Amendment fourteen years later.

Review Questions

• How did Susan B. Anthony's actions challenge societal norms regarding women's roles in the 19th century?
  • Susan B. Anthony's actions directly challenged the prevailing societal norms by actively campaigning for women's right to vote at a time when women were largely expected to remain politically inactive. By voting illegally in the 1872 presidential election, she not only defied legal restrictions but also brought widespread attention to the issue of women's suffrage. Her bold approach demonstrated that women could and should participate in political processes, paving the way for future generations of female activists.
• Evaluate the impact of Susan B. Anthony's collaboration with Elizabeth Cady Stanton on the women’s suffrage movement.
  • The collaboration between Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton was pivotal for the women’s suffrage movement as they combined their talents and resources to create a powerful advocacy force. Together, they co-founded the National Woman Suffrage Association and worked on influential publications like 'The Revolution,' which spread awareness about women's rights. Their partnership not only helped unify various factions within the movement but also set a strategic agenda that focused on both state and federal levels of advocacy.
• Analyze how Susan B. Anthony's life and work influenced later feminist movements in America.
  • Susan B. Anthony's life and work significantly influenced later feminist movements by laying a strong foundation for gender equality advocacy in America. Her relentless pursuit of women's suffrage inspired future activists who continued her fight for equality across various social spheres, including civil rights and reproductive rights. The frameworks of organized activism and strategic campaigning that she developed provided essential models for subsequent generations, allowing movements like second-wave feminism in the 1960s and beyond to build upon her legacy and strive for comprehensive equality.

Related terms

Women’s Suffrage Movement: A social and political movement aimed at securing voting rights for women, which gained momentum in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA): An organization co-founded by Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton in 1869 to advocate for women's suffrage on a national level.

19th Amendment: The constitutional amendment ratified in 1920 that granted women the right to vote, largely due to the efforts of suffragists like Susan B. Anthony.