Which Of The Following Best Describes Elizabeth Cady Stanton And Susan B. Anthony?

Q: Which of the following best describes Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony?

1. The first two American women to vote legally in a national election.
2. The first two American women to hold national elected office.
3. Two women who formed the American Woman Suffrage Association.
4. Two women who formed the National Woman Suffrage Association.

Answer – Option D

The National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA) came to be during the end of 19th and start of the 20th century. And the two noteworthy personalities responsible for creating the association were Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B Anthony.

Due to their contribution, these eminent women were heralded as the chief catalysts in the battle for women's rights and securing the fundamental right for women to vote in the United States of America, like the dominant sex of society. 

They worked conjointly for over 50 years. Right from the onset of their antislavery and temperance movements to the inception and leadership of the inevitable NAWSA (National American Woman Suffrage Association), the two became an inseparable force to be reckoned with. 

As per historical findings, the NAWSA was the result of two separate mergers. 

They were as follows –

• The NWSA – National Woman Suffrage Association(under the leadership of Susan B. Anthony along with Elizabeth Cady Stanton) 

• The AWSA – American Woman Suffrage Association (under the leadership of Henry Blackwell, Lucy Stone, and Julia Ward Howe).

Both these rival groups were formulated at the end of the 1860s due to some strategic disagreement. 

The NWSA empowered societal women and supported enfranchisement via the federal constitutional amendments. Contrarily, the AWSA shared the opinion that imminent success was achievable with state-wise campaigning. 

Eventually, when the NAWSA came to be, it merged the techniques of both groups and secured the passing of the 19th Amendment in 1920 via a sequence of appropriately organized state campaigns. These campaigns were conducted under the supervision of Carrie Chapman Catt, the dynamic director (then).

With the NAWSA formulated and its primary objective being female enfranchisement, the group morphed into a legion of Women Voters. 

Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton both went against supporting the 15th Amendment simply the way it was. Instead, they believed female rights activists battling for women's rights must also be incorporated into the Amendment. 

But since these notions were tossed aside and often, the two of them were also met with disdain, resistance, and even mockery. However, the two persevered against the odds to secure equal rights for women in the USA. 

Their hard work and fortitude led to the inception of the NWSA (National Woman Suffrage Association) to spread their words and empowerment. 

After forming the NSWA, they set up their HQ in New York City and even started the newspaper, 'The Revolution,' which was meant to be the mouthpiece for their female-centric organization. 

The Revolution mainly dealt with thought-provoking coverage of Women's rights pertaining to Suffrage, divorce, education, etc. 

Conclusion

Owing to their strong and passionate beliefs towards granting women their civic rights, the NWSA was viewed as more controversial and radical than its rival, the AWSA, which only emphasized the voting facet. 

Furthermore, besides demanding a proper constitutional amendment that would sanction females in the USA, the NWSA also backed a myriad of reforms that intended to transform women as equal to men in society. The association also endorsed women's rights for property proprietorship, employment, and proper education. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What was the main purpose of NWSA?

Ans: The primary objective of NWSA, or the National Woman Suffrage Association, was to sanction voting rights for women in America, like the dominant sex of society. The association endorsed numerous reforms and endeavored to give women their fundamental rights.

Even after so many years, their legacy inspires activists to speak up and fight against social injustice and the violation or expulsion of human rights. 

2. How many members were associated with the NAWSA?

Ans: The NAWSA, or National American Woman Suffrage Association, was the merger of NWSA and AWSA. When it was formed, it only comprised 7000 members. However, later on, the number increased to 2 million participants.

This made NAWSA the largest and most influential voluntary association in the United States of America.

3. What was NWSA's impact on the general populace?

Ans: The NWSA was considered more controversial and radical than AWSA or American Woman Suffrage Association. They prioritized securing equal rights for females in the USA to vote alongside their counterparts.

Due to strong yet rational debates, the association greatly impacted the general populace. They also stirred public discussions via reform proposals on key facets like marriage, divorce, and other social dilemmas women face.

4. Who became the more noteworthy advocate for women's suffrage? 

Ans: Elizabeth Cady Stanton (from 1815 – 1902) was the most prominent advocate for Women's Suffrage. 

As one of the noteworthy leaders of the National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA), she was the main catalyst for the Seneca Fall Convention (July 19-20, 1848).

The convention garnered over 40 men and 200 women. Due to this, many even hail the Seneca Fall Convention as the origin of female Suffrage in the USA.

5. What were the 3 significant events that took place in the women's suffrage movement? 

Ans: The 3 important events in the Women's Suffrage Movement were as follows.

• Seneca Fall Convention (July 19-20 in 1848)
• Woman Suffrage Parade (March 3 in 1913)
• Jeannette Rankin became the 1st woman to be elected to Congress (November 7, 1916)