American Woman Suffrage Association

Definition

The American Woman Suffrage Association (AWSA) was a pivotal organization in the women's suffrage movement, founded in 1869 to advocate for women's right to vote through state-level campaigns and more moderate approaches. It was formed in response to the radical tactics of the National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA) and sought to unify the movement by focusing on securing voting rights at the state level rather than pursuing a federal amendment. The AWSA played a crucial role in building grassroots support for women's suffrage, emphasizing cooperation over confrontation.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The AWSA focused on state-by-state campaigns for women's voting rights, unlike its counterpart NWSA, which pushed for a national constitutional amendment.
2. Notable figures associated with the AWSA included Lucy Stone and Julia Ward Howe, who worked tirelessly to garner support for women's suffrage.
3. The AWSA promoted an inclusive approach, welcoming women of different races and backgrounds, though it primarily catered to white middle-class women.
4. In 1890, the AWSA and NWSA merged to form the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA), which consolidated efforts to achieve suffrage for women nationwide.
5. The AWSA's approach set a foundation for future activism by emphasizing local organizing and education about women's rights.

Review Questions

• How did the American Woman Suffrage Association differ in its strategies compared to the National Woman Suffrage Association?
  • The American Woman Suffrage Association (AWSA) differed from the National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA) primarily in its strategic approach to securing women's voting rights. While the AWSA focused on a more moderate, state-level campaign strategy, aiming to gain suffrage through local legislation, the NWSA pursued a more radical approach that called for a federal constitutional amendment. This difference in strategy reflected broader philosophical divides within the women's suffrage movement regarding how best to achieve their goals.
• Discuss the significance of grassroots organizing in the efforts of the American Woman Suffrage Association.
  • Grassroots organizing was central to the success of the American Woman Suffrage Association. By focusing on local communities and building support from the ground up, AWSA members were able to engage a wider audience and create a network of activists committed to the cause. This approach not only mobilized women to advocate for their rights but also educated communities about suffrage, ultimately helping to normalize the idea of women voting as part of societal progress.
• Evaluate how the merger of the American Woman Suffrage Association and National Woman Suffrage Association influenced the overall suffrage movement in the United States.
  • The merger of the American Woman Suffrage Association and National Woman Suffrage Association into the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) significantly strengthened the suffrage movement by uniting two major factions that previously had divergent approaches. This consolidation allowed for a more cohesive strategy and increased resources, enhancing their ability to lobby for women's voting rights at both state and national levels. By combining forces, NAWSA was able to leverage both grassroots activism from AWSA's background and the more aggressive tactics of NWSA, creating a powerful coalition that ultimately played a critical role in achieving the 19th Amendment.

Related terms

National Woman Suffrage Association: Founded in 1869 by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, the NWSA took a more aggressive stance on women's suffrage, advocating for a constitutional amendment to secure voting rights for women.

Suffragists: Individuals, both men and women, who advocated for extending the right to vote to women, often participating in rallies, petitions, and political campaigns.

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 and produced the Declaration of Sentiments.