key term - National Woman Suffrage Association

Definition

The National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA) was an organization founded in 1869 by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony aimed at promoting women's right to vote in the United States. The NWSA played a crucial role in the women's suffrage movement by advocating for a constitutional amendment to guarantee women the right to vote, while also addressing broader issues like property rights and employment equality for women.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The NWSA was founded in response to the exclusion of women from the post-Civil War amendments, which focused primarily on civil rights for African American men.
2. The association's motto was 'Women’s Rights are Human Rights,' emphasizing their fight for gender equality beyond just voting.
3. In 1890, the NWSA merged with another suffrage organization, the American Woman Suffrage Association (AWSA), to form the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA).
4. The NWSA organized numerous campaigns, rallies, and petitions to raise public awareness about women's suffrage, effectively mobilizing women across the country.
5. While initially focused on a federal amendment for women's suffrage, the NWSA also tackled issues like temperance, labor rights, and education for women.

Review Questions

• How did the formation of the National Woman Suffrage Association impact the strategies used in the women's suffrage movement?
  • The formation of the National Woman Suffrage Association significantly shifted the strategies of the women's suffrage movement by focusing on a federal amendment that would secure voting rights for women across the nation. This approach allowed activists to unite their efforts and create a more organized front against opposition. Additionally, by highlighting broader issues such as property rights and employment equality, the NWSA expanded the scope of their activism and engaged a larger audience in discussions about gender equality.
• Compare and contrast the goals of the National Woman Suffrage Association with those of other women's organizations during its early years.
  • The National Woman Suffrage Association primarily aimed for a constitutional amendment to grant women voting rights, distinguishing it from other organizations that focused on state-level reforms or broader social issues. For instance, while groups like the American Woman Suffrage Association pursued state-by-state suffrage victories, the NWSA believed that a national approach was essential. Furthermore, the NWSA integrated social reform issues such as labor rights and education into its agenda, setting it apart from organizations that were more narrowly focused on suffrage alone.
• Evaluate the long-term significance of the National Woman Suffrage Association in shaping future movements for women's rights in America.
  • The National Woman Suffrage Association's establishment laid critical groundwork for future movements advocating for women's rights in America. By emphasizing not just voting but also broader social reforms like labor laws and educational access, the NWSA helped to create a legacy of intersectionality within feminist movements. Its eventual merger with other organizations to form NAWSA united various factions under a common goal, illustrating how collaboration can amplify voices and lead to significant legislative achievements, such as the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment. This influence is seen today as contemporary movements continue to draw from those early frameworks to advocate for equality across diverse issues.

Related terms

Seneca Falls Convention:

The first women's rights convention held in 1848, which launched the women's suffrage movement in the United States.

Susan B. Anthony:

A prominent leader in the women's suffrage movement who played a key role in founding the NWSA and campaigning for women's voting rights.

Nineteenth Amendment:

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