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Text Analysis #2 The Final Push for Women Suffrage

Who is Writing?

Passing the Baton- Susan B. Anthony, October 1909.

Politicking for Suffrage- Mary Garrett Hay, March 13, 1919.

The President Intervenes- President Woodrow Wilson, September 30, 1918.

Reflections on Victory- Carrie Chapman Catt, Thanksgiving Day, 1920.

Audience:

Passing the Baton- Susan B. Anthony’s best friend, Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Politicking for Suffrage- New York state legislators, specifically Mrs. Maud Wood Park

The President Intervenes- The Senate

Reflections on Victory- Carrie Chapman Catt’s staff at NAWSA

Who does the Writer Represent?

Passing the Baton- Susan B. Anthony is representing the older generation of women who fought long and hard to break out of the traditional women roles and to create a public identity for women. She also represents the meaning of hope. Fifty years ago, she had hoped to earn rights for women. Fifty years later, she’s hoping that the young and educated generation of women will fight to earn suffrage.

Politicking for Suffrage- Mary Garrett Hay represents the strong-willed and hardworking women of the National American Woman Suffrage Association. Women who are out there trying to make a difference by doing whatever they can. From traditional petitions, lobbying, and networking to those who opt for extreme ways in hope to gain attention from the public and the government.

The President Intervenes- President Woodrow Wilson represents the women who are fighting for suffrage and he is also representing democracy.

Reflection on Victory- Carrie Chapman Catt is representing all the women who have fought for women’s suffrage and she also represents all of the hardships that they have been through in order to make a statement and to make a difference.

What is being Said:

Passing the Baton- Susan B. Anthony is reflecting on the long, rocky road that she and her fellow colleagues have treaded, on their mission for the rights of women. In her letter to Elizabeth Stanton she says that even though they, themselves, won’t be able to complete the mission, the young and educated generation after them are fully equipped and well prepared to continue on the quest for suffrage. Susan B. Anthony is very proud of the next generation of women and has absolutely no doubt whatsoever that they will achieve what she and so many others have fought long and hard for.

Politicking for Suffrage- Mary Garrett Hay is a very straightforward person. She is knows what she’s doing and she’s very active in getting all the latest information. She doesn’t trust either the Democrats or the Republicans, she trusts herself to get what she wants and what she wants is for the Suffrage Amendment to be passed.

The President Intervenes-President Wilson wants to convince the Senate to pass the Suffrage Amendment on behalf of the women and democracy. He tries to persuade them by saying how big of a role women have played during the war and how much they have contributed. The president also mentions that other countries look up to the U.S. as an example and that we should be a good role model to them by passing the Amendment.

Reflections on Victory- Carrie Chapman Catt is reflecting on all the years that they have spent on trying to achieve their goal and for it to be finally accomplished is a sacred moment in history. She’s saying that it is a very proud moment to all women who sacrificed themselves in order to be able to vote. The victory was great but what was even greater is the lesson learned through all the years of hard work. That if you want to make a difference, you can. As long as you have the right attitude and are persistent throughout the whole thing then you can definitely make a difference.

How is it being said?

Passing the Baton- Susan B. Anthony speaks very highly of the next generation of women. She speaks confidently about her vision of the future and how she knows that women will be victorious in the end.

Politicking for Suffrage- Mary Garrett Hay is actively doing all that she can in order to get the Suffrage Amendment passed. She seems very confident in herself and she knows exactly what she’s doing. When she says that she doesn’t trust Democrats or Republicans it’s like she’s actually saying that she can’t trust anyone else to get the Amendment passed besides herself. She knows exactly what she wants and she also knows what it’s going to take to get it.

The President Intervenes- President Wilson tries to win the Senate over by talking about major points such as war and democracy. He tries to inspire the Senate by talking about how big of a step it would be towards a true democracy. In a way he tries to butter the Senate up by saying that other countries “…are looking to the great, powerful, democracy of the west to lead them to a new day…”. If they wanted to continue to look great and powerful to the other countries then they would have to pass the Nineteenth Amendment as proof.

Reflection on Victory- Carrie Chapman Catt is glad that they have finally come to the end of the long, exhausting road and victory is upon in their hand. She is proud of the women for making a difference and is filled with admiration for anyone that had contributed to their feat.

Proof:

Passing the Baton- She praises the younger generation of women for being educated, experienced, strong, and courageous. She also believes that because the number of women fighting for suffrage has increased significantly over the years, they now have a better chance of gaining that right. Fifty years ago, there were only a handful of women and now fifty years later, there is an army of them. That huge amount of women cannot simply be ignored by the public and she believes that will help them to achieve their goal.

Politicking for Suffrage- Mary Garrett Hay is very determined to get what she wants. She relies on her own abilities and she seems quite confident with the way that she handles things.

The President Intervenes- President Wilson tries to convince the Senate by bringing up all that the women have done. For example, he said that passing the Nineteenth Amendment would be vital to winning the war. He also brings up the point that if we want to lead other countries into democracy then we first have to show them what democracy is all about.

Reflection on Victory- Carrie Chapman Catt talked about how the victory was the most wonderful thing that the world has ever seen. The women had established a new and good thing in the world. It will inspire people to stand up for what they believe in and to make a difference.

Historical Significance/Relevance:

The Final Push for Women Suffrage is significant because women played a major role during the Progressive Era. They fought for many long years to gain their right to vote and to have a public identity. The Nineteenth Amendment was passed due largely to their determination and efforts combined. The passing of the Amendment was a remarkable time in history. The Nineteenth Amendment gives women a voice in society by giving them the right to vote.

How does this Document’s Premise or Theme Fit into the Historical Context:

The U.S. being involved in the war was the perfect chance for women to show society that they can work and take care of the family even if most of the men are fighting overseas. They were able to prove that they were capable of working just as hard as the men.