National American Woman Suffrage Association

Definition

The National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) was a pivotal organization formed in 1890 that aimed to secure women's right to vote in the United States. It emerged from the merger of two earlier groups and played a crucial role in advocating for women's suffrage, organizing campaigns, and promoting the Nineteenth Amendment, which ultimately granted women the right to vote nationally. NAWSA's efforts were not only significant in the context of U.S. women's suffrage but also resonated with international movements for women's voting rights.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. NAWSA was created to unify the efforts of women’s suffrage advocates after a long period of division between different factions within the movement.
2. The organization adopted a strategy of peaceful persuasion and focused on state-by-state campaigns for voting rights before aiming for a national amendment.
3. Leaders like Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton were instrumental in shaping NAWSA's goals and strategies, while later figures like Carrie Chapman Catt emphasized political mobilization.
4. NAWSA played a critical role in lobbying Congress and raising public awareness about women's voting rights through rallies, speeches, and publications.
5. The organization's work culminated in the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment in 1920, marking a significant victory for NAWSA and the broader suffrage movement.

Review Questions

• How did the National American Woman Suffrage Association influence the broader women's suffrage movement in the United States?
  • The National American Woman Suffrage Association significantly influenced the women's suffrage movement by unifying various factions and coordinating efforts across states. By merging two earlier groups, NAWSA created a more powerful entity that could mobilize resources, advocate for legislation, and organize campaigns effectively. The association's emphasis on grassroots activism and public education helped raise awareness about women's voting rights and ultimately facilitated the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment.
• Evaluate the strategies employed by NAWSA in comparison to those of its predecessor organization, the American Woman Suffrage Association.
  • NAWSA adopted a more organized and centralized approach than its predecessor, which focused primarily on state-level efforts. While the American Woman Suffrage Association concentrated on securing suffrage one state at a time, NAWSA combined these efforts with national advocacy for a constitutional amendment. This shift allowed NAWSA to engage in larger-scale lobbying efforts, including working directly with Congress, which proved essential for achieving nationwide suffrage through the Nineteenth Amendment.
• Analyze how NAWSA's tactics contributed to both successes and challenges faced by the women's suffrage movement leading up to the Nineteenth Amendment.
  • NAWSA's tactics, such as lobbying, public speaking engagements, and grassroots organizing, were crucial for raising awareness and garnering support for women's suffrage leading up to the Nineteenth Amendment. However, these methods also faced challenges; for instance, some factions within NAWSA had differing views on race and class issues that sometimes alienated potential allies. Furthermore, while their focus on peaceful persuasion garnered widespread public support, it also meant that they initially overlooked more radical strategies that some activists believed were necessary to secure immediate change. This dynamic showcased both the strengths and limitations of NAWSA's approach within the broader context of social justice.

Related terms

Nineteenth Amendment: The constitutional amendment ratified in 1920 that prohibits the denial of the right to vote on the basis of sex, officially granting women in the United States the right to vote.

American Woman Suffrage Association: An organization founded in 1869 that initially focused on securing women’s suffrage through state-level campaigns and was one of the predecessors to NAWSA.

Women's Suffrage Movement: A social and political movement aimed at granting women the right to vote, which gained momentum in the late 19th and early 20th centuries across various countries, including the United States.