National American Woman Suffrage Association

Definition

The National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) was an organization founded in 1890 that aimed to secure women's right to vote in the United States. This organization played a pivotal role in uniting various suffrage groups and advocating for women's voting rights through peaceful and organized means, such as lobbying and public education campaigns. NAWSA's efforts were crucial in 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. NAWSA was formed through the merger of two rival organizations, the National Woman Suffrage Association and the American Woman Suffrage Association, reflecting a more unified approach to advocating for women's voting rights.
2. Under the leadership of prominent figures like Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, NAWSA focused on state-level campaigns to win voting rights before pursuing a national amendment.
3. The organization emphasized the importance of women's contributions to society, arguing that enfranchisement would allow women to influence issues such as education, health, and child welfare.
4. NAWSA used various tactics including petitions, public rallies, and alliances with other reform movements to gain support for their cause.
5. In 1920, NAWSA celebrated the ratification of the 19th Amendment, achieving a primary goal but also transitioned into the League of Women Voters to continue advocating for women's rights and civic engagement.

Review Questions

• How did NAWSA contribute to the overall success of the women's suffrage movement in the United States?
  • NAWSA played a significant role in unifying various suffrage groups and creating a structured approach to advocacy that emphasized peaceful lobbying and public education. By focusing on state-level campaigns and working to gain support from both politicians and the public, NAWSA laid important groundwork that ultimately led to national recognition of women's voting rights. Their strategic efforts were instrumental in building momentum leading up to the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920.
• In what ways did NAWSA's methods differ from those of more radical suffragists during the late 19th and early 20th centuries?
  • While NAWSA primarily employed peaceful methods such as lobbying, petitions, and educational campaigns to gain support for women's suffrage, more radical suffragists often resorted to more aggressive tactics, including protests and civil disobedience. Organizations like the National Woman's Party advocated for direct action and picketing, which sometimes put them at odds with NAWSA's strategy of seeking gradual change through legal means. This division highlighted differing philosophies within the suffrage movement about how best to achieve their goals.
• Evaluate how the legacy of NAWSA continues to influence contemporary women's rights movements today.
  • The legacy of NAWSA is seen in contemporary women's rights movements through its foundational principles of advocacy, unity among diverse groups, and strategic campaigning. Modern organizations often draw upon NAWSA's tactics of grassroots mobilization and coalition-building to address current issues such as reproductive rights, gender equality in the workplace, and broader civil rights. Furthermore, NAWSA's emphasis on civic engagement has inspired ongoing efforts to encourage women to participate actively in political processes and leadership roles across various sectors.

Related terms

19th Amendment: The constitutional amendment ratified in 1920 that granted women the right to vote, marking a significant victory for the suffrage movement.

Suffragette: A woman who actively worked for the right to vote, particularly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, often associated with more militant tactics compared to their suffragist counterparts.

Seneca Falls Convention: The first women's rights convention held in 1848, which marked the beginning of the organized women's suffrage movement in the United States.