The early 19th century was the most beneficial period for women’s rights. At around this time, society’s acceptance of the traditional roles of women began to decline. Women began to attend political events and protest in the streets as others took on serious roles in the temperance and abolition movements across the United States. The temperance movements were driven by women who were irked by the amount of time and resources men spent in bars and discos. In due course, many of these women became staunch supporters of the women’s rights movements. Although strains of feminist sentiments had existed within the temperance movements, the first official meeting organized to agitate for the rights of women happened in 1848 in New York. During these meetings, hundreds of women held a special forum to strategize on how to mobilize women across the United States and foster positive change in respect of their social roles. Subsequent meetings led to the gradual recognition of women’s rights in the United States, which eventually spread to other parts of the world (Andrea, 1992).
The market revolution further catalyzed positive reforms regarding proper roles of women in the society. For the first time, women could participate in industrial production and marketing of goods that were considered the preserve of men. By the beginning of 19th century, several female rights movements had been formed in the United States. Black women too played an active role in the campaign for women’s rights in the United States. During the Civil War, black women fought in favor of the Union, supplying food and other essentials to the troops. When the war was over, women petitioned Congress to recognize their rights in law. All these efforts culminated in the women’s rights being enshrined in the constitution.
Reference
Andrea, M. K. (1992). Lucy Stone: Speaking Out for Equality. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press.
