Argument 3: Throughout her lifetime, Susan B. Anthony also participated in labor activist programs seeking equal pay for both women and men.
-
In 1868, Susan B. Anthony’s newspaper, The Revolution supported an eight hour minimum work day for women and equal pay as men
-
Anthony also encouraged several women to work in the Workingwomen’s Associations, rather than the sewing and printing trades, which required women to perform hard labor
-
Anthony was elected president of the Workingwomen’s Central Association in 1870. The association focused on the working conditions for women, as well as provided several educational opportunities for women who worked
-
In 1871, when male printers went on strike, she recommended to employers to hire women workers
-
In 1890, when Anthony was president of the National American Woman Suffrage Association, she focused on the importance of gaining support on organized labor
-
Anthony’s father hired workers, and most of them were women. As she grew up, she saw gender discrimination.
Part C: Evaluation of Sources
Source 1: Susan B. Anthony: A Biography of a Singular Feminist
The biography of Susan B. Anthony is written by Kathleen Barry and was published on August 1, 2000 by New York University Press Ltd. This secondary source was written on the accomplishments of Susan B. Anthony over the course of her lifetime. The purpose of the source is to address the achievements of Susan B. Anthony and their influence on American history. The book discussed the conflicts Anthony faced while trying to reach her goal. Since the book was written after all the events that Anthony was part of, it gives a better understanding of how the events led to the present day America. However, the limitations of the source were that, Susan B. Anthony’s accomplishments were explained in great details; therefore, it was hard to look for key information to support the arguments. Also, the source had its bias against the male gender and only gave information on women’s side of the event, thus not allowing us to look at events from a male’s point of view.
Source 2: Susan B. Anthony: And Justice for All
The second source is a secondary source written by Jeanne Gehret and was published on April, 1996. This book was also based on the accomplishments of Susan B. Anthony and how they had an effect on America. Also, this book mainly focused on Anthony’s efforts on abolishing slavery. The main purpose of this book was to portray Susan B. Anthony’s accomplishments to abolish slavery and how this later led to the elimination of slavery. The book’s value is that it gives a concise understanding of how Susan B. Anthony and her supporters worked to abolish slavery. Also, there were many primary sources, such as pictures and documents that Anthony possessed, and this gave a better understanding of her efforts. The limitation of this source was that it was biased against the Southern side of America, thus didn’t give a chance to look at her efforts from the Southern point of view.
D. Analysis
Argument 1:
Susan B. Anthony’s strict beliefs in women’s rights developed as a child due to her surroundings. Her childhood was significant to her future since she developed her strong sense of equal rights early on, and this was later proved in her efforts regarding equal justice.
As a result of Anthony’s significant childhood, she developed strong beliefs regarding women’s rights to vote for public issues. She led many campaigns and gave justified responses to public who degraded her. Anthony’s companion, Elizabeth took a key role in Anthony’s accomplishments since Elizabeth also had the same motives as Anthony, and together, they supported each other. Thus, Anthony got encouragement to continue her cause for equal women’s rights.
Anthony’s message to women was that, “Woman must not depend upon the protection of man, but must be taught to protect herself.” Before the 1800s, women depended on men for everything; however, Anthony was teaching women to be stronger and to be able to support themselves. This had an effect on many women who supported Anthony’s beliefs, thus later led on to the creation of the American Woman Suffrage.
Anthony also believed in women’s rights to vote. Her efforts were not rebellious; instead, she hoped to gain better American economy and politics. By allowing women to vote in public affairs, candidates would be chosen fairly by getting votes of every gender. Her motive was equality, and that would make the American government prosper in the future.
As a result of Anthony’s efforts regarding women’s rights to vote, the Nineteenth Amendment (Susan B. Anthony Amendment) was passed in 1920. This gave every American an equal chance to vote despite their gender.
Argument 2:
Along with Anthony’s strict beliefs to allow women to vote in public affairs, she was an active abolitionist and led many organizations to eliminate slavery. Anthony’s childhood was significant to her future life, since her father also was a strong abolitionist. Anthony faced feelings of equality in her childhood due to her surroundings, and this later had an effect on Anthony’s feelings towards slavery.
In effect, Anthony joined many organizations and was an active member of many abolitionist groups. Many American states benefited from the practice of slavery and if slavery were to be abolished, America would lose a lot of its economy. Thus, Anthony faced many people who degraded her beliefs; however, Anthony continued to support abolitionist organizations. Next, Anthony’s newspaper, “The Revolution” gained hatred from the public. However, Anthony’s continued support proved that she stood behind her beliefs and that she would not give up easily.
Due to Anthony’s support in abolishing slavery, the Thirteenth Amendment was put into act. Previously, Anthony, along with her supporters gained petitions to put the Thirteenth Amendment into action. Anthony’s concern for abolishing slavery is evident due to the amount of effort she put into her cause.
Argument 3:
Anthony’s efforts in the women’s rights suffrage movement also involved seeking equal pay for both women and men. She wanted to create activist programs around America that would ensure women held the same position as men.
As Anthony was growing up, her father hired women workers. Anthony was able to see gender discrimination as a child, and this had an effect on her morals in the future. During 1800s, gender discrimination in America was evident. Women were not allowed to work in factories with men, and did not have equal pay as men. Anthony hoped to eliminate the gender discriminations. Through the Workingwomen’s Associations, Anthony hoped to persuade women to work in areas that were suitable for women. Anthony’s support in women’s organizations showed women to be independent and work for themselves, instead on depending on men for their needs. Despite the amount of time spent by Anthony in her writings and speeches, there were no laws that were passed which gave women equal rights as men. This forced Anthony and her supporters to work harder. Anthony, along with Elizabeth Stanton published their newspaper, “The Revolution in Rochester” which addressed issues about women’s rights and freedom. Anthony’s newspaper received degrading views from the male gender of the public; however Anthony and her supporters continued their fight to achieve their cause. Anthony’s efforts to gain equal rights for women resulted in the passing of the New York State Married Women’s Property Bill in 1860. The bill allowed married women to own property and have custody over their child. The passing of this bill showed many of Anthony’s non supporters that her efforts were proving to be useful.
Part E: Conclusion:
Susan B. Anthony proved to be an important figure in American history. Anthony’s ongoing efforts to eliminate discrimination and to create equality led to the present day America. Without Anthony’s strict beliefs to abolish slavery, women would not have had the chance to take an active role in public decisions. Her efforts have been a result of her childhood which led to her stern beliefs and actions. Today, Anthony is honored as a woman who helped reform the American nation, which is now admired for its economy and politics.
Part F: Bibliography
Adams, Colleen. Woman's Suffrage. 1 ed. New York: The Rosen Publishing Group, inc., 2003.
Barry, Kathleen. Susan B. Anthony: A Biography of a Singular Feminist . New York: 1st Books Library, 2000
Elizabeth, Frost, and DuPont- Cullen, Cathryn. Women's Suffrage in America - An eyewitness history. New York: Facts on File, 1992.
Gehret, Jeanne. Susan B. Anthony and justice for all. Chicago: Enslow Publishers, Inc., 1996.
Hughes, Deborah L.. "Biography of Susan B. Anthony." 2001.http://www.susanbanthonyhouse.org/biography.html (accessed July 2007).
Odano, Julie. "Freedom Hero: Susan B. Anthony." June 18, 2004.http://myhero.com/myhero/hero.asp?hero=susanBAnthony (accessed 7/18/2004).
Reigel, Robert E.. American Feminists. Kansas: University of Kansas Press, 1990.
"Susan Anthony." http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAWanthony.htm
"Work and Achievements." http://www.history.rochester.edu/class/sba/third.html
