The Rise of Political Feminism

1. The Rise of Political Feminism

2. Liberal society had not improved the lot of women • Women did not have the vote or access to political activity • Catholic and Protestant countries males liberals feared that granting the right to vote to women would only serve to benefit political conservatives • Men believed that the priests held undue control over women

3. Other women were often times reluctant to support feminist causes • Some were sensitive to their own class and economic interests (what does this mean?) • Others subordinated feminist political issues to national unity and patriotism • Others refused to support particular feminist organizations because they objected to their tactics

4. 1792 – Mary Wollstonecraft – the Vindication of the Rights of Women laid the some groundwork by applying the doctrines of the revolution to the rights of women • The earliest statements in support of feminism arose from critics of the existing order who were often people who had unorthodox opinions about sexuality, family life, and property

5. Votes for Women in Britain • Millicent Fawcett (1847 – 1929) – led and established the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies • Emmeline Pankhurst (1858 – 1928) – led and founded the radical branch of feminism in England Women’s Social and Political Union • Suffregettes • Lobbied publicly and privately for extended the vote to women • Eventually they turned to violent tactics of arso, breaking windows, and sabotage of postal boxes • Many were imprisoned

7. When do women get the right to vote? • England: 1928 • Germany: 1919 • USA: 1920 • Susan B. Anthony 1820 – 1906