Women's Rights In The 1700s

Women have been cheated out of legal rights since Adam and Eve. John Adams wife Abigail wrote a letter to her husband and stated “not to forget the ladies”. The Constitutional Convention failed women, and so the fight began. The fight women had to go through to achieve what we have now is legendary. It got to a point where women, as a whole, would no longer take the role they were born with. They struggled and sacrificed so many things, and it wasn’t in vain. They were fed up with being housewives and mother, and that being their only label. Women have had parts in all major movements, and it was now time for their own. The road was paved with obstacles, but they never gave up.

The 1700’s was a time of great hardship for women. They were tired

Women all over took a stand on slavery, abortion, women suffrage, and government issues. They spoke as a whole using newspapers, and radio as means to get their message across the nation. The American Society for the promotion of the Temperance, later named The American Temperance Society, raged a war against the alcohol consumption of men, and adolescent teenagers. Women knew that the consumption of alcohol was ruining their society, and didn’t want their kids to accept it as normal. This movement lasted from 1826 till 1851 when main became the first state to have prohibition on alcohol. Over 300 women advocates attended a convention held in Seneca Falls, on 1848 to discuss women’s rights. Here women were presented the Declaration of the Sentiments, It was modeled after the declaration of Independence. The deceleration called for the same equality as men, education, right to vote, abortion, and employment. Some say it was here in Seneca Falls is where the women’s movement finally began. They fought the government until the passage of the 19th amendment. Victoria Woodhull became the first American women to run for the presidency of the United States. She ran because she wanted to convince congress to legalize women suffrage, under the 14th amendment. A scandal broke out and her campaign for the presidency ended before it could

No longer did they wear petticoats, ribbon gown, or constricting clothing. Women wanted the “S” shaped figure, and more room to move around while at work. They didn’t wear their corsets as constricting, and high waistbands were thrown out. In addition to changing their clothing women started moving back into the home front. World War 1 started, and a great migration back into the home shifted the movement for women. Women either returned home, went to the war front to help as nurses, or replaced jobs that men abandon to fight in the war. The war showed the world that women could be the mother and the father. The 1900’s also brought along the 19th amendment, and it gave women the right to vote. Although they were granted the right to vote, male white settlers tried to keep them out of the polls. Women’s clothing changed again drastically when the flapper became popular. It became the symbol for the youth movement. Women would wear these to speakies, and show case their figure. The fashion of this time was totally rejecting the Victorian women. The flappers didn’t follow modern society, and were open about their sexuality. Margaret Sanders stood up for reproductive rights. She founded the American Birth Control League and, its mission revolved around educating women on the prevention of pregnancy. It’s named changed from the National Birth Control league to what is now known as the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. She