National American Woman Suffrage Association

Definition

The National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) was an organization founded in 1890 that aimed to secure voting rights for women across the United States. It emerged from the merger of two earlier groups and played a crucial role in the women's suffrage movement, advocating for women's political participation and mobilizing support for their right to vote.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. NAWSA was led by prominent suffragists like Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, who were key figures in advocating for women's rights.
2. The organization focused on a state-by-state strategy initially, aiming to win suffrage through individual state legislatures before pushing for a federal amendment.
3. In 1916, NAWSA adopted a more aggressive approach, emphasizing the need for a national amendment to secure women's voting rights.
4. The association organized rallies, parades, and campaigns to raise awareness and support for women's suffrage across the nation.
5. NAWSA's efforts contributed significantly to the eventual passage of the Nineteenth Amendment in 1920, marking a major victory for the women's suffrage movement.

Review Questions

• How did the National American Woman Suffrage Association influence the strategies used in the women's suffrage movement?
  • The National American Woman Suffrage Association played a pivotal role by promoting a state-by-state approach to secure voting rights initially. This strategy involved lobbying state legislatures and gaining support at local levels before pursuing a national amendment. The leadership within NAWSA emphasized organized efforts, including rallies and campaigns, which helped unify various suffrage organizations under a common goal, ultimately leading to increased visibility and support for women's rights.
• Discuss the impact of key leaders within NAWSA on shaping public opinion regarding women's suffrage.
  • Leaders like Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton were instrumental in shaping public opinion about women's suffrage through their powerful speeches and writings. They mobilized grassroots efforts and engaged with communities across the nation, raising awareness about women's rights and challenging societal norms. Their advocacy not only educated the public but also inspired countless women to join the movement, creating a strong collective voice that demanded political recognition.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of NAWSA's strategies in relation to other contemporary suffrage movements and their outcomes.
  • NAWSA's strategies were effective in building a broad coalition for women’s suffrage by emphasizing gradual change through state-level victories. However, compared to more radical groups like the National Women's Party led by Alice Paul, NAWSA initially adopted a more conservative approach that aimed for incremental progress. While both organizations ultimately contributed to securing the Nineteenth Amendment, NAWSA's methods allowed them to gain significant public support over time, while Paul's more militant tactics drew national attention to the urgency of women's voting rights. This dynamic illustrates how different approaches within the same movement can coexist and complement one another in achieving common goals.

Related terms

Suffragette: A woman who fought for the right to vote in the early 20th century, often associated with militant actions to draw attention to the cause.

Nineteenth Amendment: The constitutional amendment ratified in 1920 that granted women the right to vote in the United States.

Alice Paul: A prominent suffragist and leader of the National Women's Party, known for her more radical tactics in the fight for women's suffrage.