History Sample Paper on Industry and Reform in the North

Reform on family is characterized by the change of roles, especially in the family. It is also characterized by the empowerment of women to take up roles in the society. For a long time, women had been subjected as subordinates to men. In this period women were expected to perform family duties as wives and mothers, they were also denied legal rights such as owning property and voting which is entirely different now.

 The 1800s saw the rise of women empowerment through the formation of organizations to champion for their rights. For instance the establishment of the National Woman’s Suffrage Association (NWSA) by Elizabeth Cady which advocated for anti-slavery and equal rights. (Paul, p17). These reforms changed how women dress and enabled them to work and earn among other civil rights. Consequently, these changes created a positive impact on society. For instance, the rate of poverty has reduced due to women’s participation in family welfare. These reforms also transformed education as other women such as Susanna Haswell rallied for education of young girls. This resulted in more opportunities for women in the industrial field. Women also encouraged the prohibition of alcohol which was an effort towards family reforms.

The Seneca Falls convention was the first organization of women to advocate for their rights. During this Congress in 1984, the American women modeled a declaration of sentiments to address their social, political, religious, and civic rights. This convention was led by Elizabeth Cady and Lucretia Mott who were activists for the suffrage movement. (Paul, p17). In 1869, Susan Antony and Elizabeth Cady formed the National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA) whose intention was to amend the American Constitution as a way to push for women rights. The same year, Lucy Stone and Henry Blackwell initiated the American Woman Suffrage Association with the same agenda. They were later merged. These women used a number of techniques to advocate for these rights. For example the use of Congress to create strategies for addressing this matter. For the entire struggle period, they employed nineteen congresses and fifty-six referendum campaigns until the issue was solved. They, however, faced opposition but this did not hold their ambition. The New York Association was one organization that was against women rights. Such groups feared women’s intervention on societal issues and reforms. Susan Antony visited Washington in 1871 and petitioned the Suffrage Bill for redress of their concerns. This petition was however not successful after the territorial legislators rejected their lobbying by enacting a law that women could only vote after the U.S Congress declared it lawful. In 1886, Washington Governor, Watson Squire signed a delegation that allowed all citizens to vote. Three years later they were disqualified by the Federal Government after losing the ballot.(Stevenson, n.p). From the 1900s they took on a personal initiative as mothers, sisters, and wives to influence male votes.  In 1918, President Wilson declared his support for the Suffrage movement. After two years, the Nineteenth Amendment was passed. This amendment came to be known as Susan B. Amendment which enabled women suffrage and took effect on ^th March 26th, 1920.

The campaign for gender equality has created a more democratic space for every citizen. Women rights have opened opportunity for new possibilities in the society through participation. This helped women to be educated and also in getting great role in the society.

Work cited

Cahill, Bernadette. Alice Paul, the National Woman’s Party and the Vote: The First Civil Rights Struggle of the 20th Century. McFarland, 2015.

Putman, John, and Shanna Stevenson. “Women’s Votes, Women’s Voices: The Campaign for Equal Rights in Washington.” (2011): 150-152.