1913 women’s march

Definition

The 1913 women's march, also known as the Women's Suffrage Parade, was a significant demonstration held in Washington, D.C., on March 3, 1913, organized to advocate for women's right to vote. This event occurred on the eve of President Woodrow Wilson's inauguration and showcased the growing momentum of the suffrage movement, bringing together thousands of women from various backgrounds to demand equal voting rights.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The 1913 women's march was notable for its size, with approximately 5,000 participants, making it one of the largest gatherings for women's suffrage at that time.
2. The parade featured women from diverse backgrounds, including various ethnicities and social classes, highlighting the inclusivity of the suffrage movement.
3. The march faced significant opposition, including hostility from onlookers and a lack of police protection, leading to chaos and confrontations along the route.
4. Alice Paul and other organizers used this event to highlight the lack of support for women's suffrage from political leaders, drawing attention to their cause at a critical time in U.S. history.
5. The visibility of the march helped galvanize support for the suffrage movement and set the stage for increased activism leading up to the eventual ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920.

Review Questions

• How did the 1913 women's march reflect the strategies and goals of the suffrage movement?
  • The 1913 women's march exemplified the strategies of visibility and public demonstration employed by suffragists to garner attention for their cause. By organizing a large-scale parade on such a prominent occasion as President Wilson's inauguration, activists aimed to showcase their demands for voting rights directly to lawmakers and society at large. This event highlighted not only their determination but also their ability to unite women from various walks of life under a common goal.
• Analyze how the reception of the 1913 women’s march by the public and authorities influenced future suffrage events.
  • The mixed reception of the 1913 women’s march revealed both societal support for and opposition to women's rights. While many applauded the marchers' courage, there was also significant backlash, including harassment and violence. This opposition underscored the challenges faced by suffragists and prompted leaders like Alice Paul to adopt more militant tactics in future events. The public response ultimately shaped how subsequent marches were organized and promoted greater awareness of women’s issues in broader society.
• Evaluate the long-term impact of the 1913 women's march on subsequent civil rights movements beyond women's suffrage.
  • The 1913 women's march not only advanced women's suffrage but also laid groundwork for future civil rights movements by demonstrating effective methods of protest and coalition-building. The diverse participation illustrated how collective action could challenge systemic injustice, serving as a model for later movements advocating for racial equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and other social justice issues. This historical moment reinforced the idea that organized protests could lead to tangible political change and inspired generations of activists to pursue equality through similar means.

Related terms

Suffragette: A term often used to refer to women who campaigned for the right to vote in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, especially in the United Kingdom and the United States.

National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA): An organization founded in 1890 that played a pivotal role in the women's suffrage movement in the United States, working towards securing the right to vote for women at both state and federal levels.

Alice Paul: A prominent leader in the women's suffrage movement who organized the 1913 women's march and later founded the National Woman's Party, advocating for women's rights through more radical means.