The Long Road to Equality for women
Excerpt from Susan B. Anthony's Address to Congress in 1868
After more than 100 years of struggle, women in the United States finally won the night to vote in 1920. Sulfragist Susan B. Anthony (1820-1906) dedicated her life to the cause of winning the vote for women. In 1866, Anthony read an appeal to the Congress of the United States for the enfranchisement of women.
“To the Senate and House of Representatives:
1. "Woman has always had the right to property and wages, the right to make contracts and do business in her own name. And even married women, by recent legislation, have been secured in these civil rights. Woman now holds a vast amount of the property in the country, and pays her full proportion of taxes. On what principle, then, do you deny her representation?
2. “We propose no new theories. We simply ask that you secure to ALL the practical application of the immutable principles of our government, without distinction of rack, color or sex, And we urge our demand now, because you have the opportunity and the power to take this onward step in legislation. The nations of the earth stand watching and waiting to see if our Revolutionary idea, "all men are created equal," con be realized in government: Crush not, we pray you, the million hopes that hang on our success. Men and parties must pass away, but justice is eternal.
3. "The only tenable ground of representation is UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE, as it is only through Universal Suffrage that the principle of "Equal Rights to All" can be resized. All prohibitions based on race, color, sex, property, or education, are violations of the republican idea. You assume to be the representatives of 15,000,000 women - American citizens- who already possess every attainable qualification for the ballot. Women read and write, hold many offices under government, pay taxes, and the penalties of crime, and yet are allowed to exercise but the one right of petition.
4. "With man, woman shared the dangers of the Mayflower on a stormy sea, the dreary landing on Plymouth Rock, the rigors of a New England winter, and the privations of a seven years' wait. With him she bravely threw off the British yoke, felt every pulsation of his heart for freedom, and inspires the glowing eloquence that maintained it through the century. With you we have just passed through the agony and death, the resurrection and triumph of another revolution, doing all in our power to mitigate is horrors and guard its glories. And now thank you we have no souls to fire, no brains to weigh your arguments, that after education such as this, we can stand silent witnesses while you sell our birthright of liberty to save from a timely death an effete political organization? No, as we respect womanhood, we must protest against this desecration of the magna Carta of American Liberties; and with an impartiality not to be…
How does Anthony respond to conflicting viewpoints about Universal Suffrage?
- A. by revealing the many challenges that were overcome to build the nation
- B. by referring to the principles on which the country was founded
- C. by pointing out the revolutionary changes that equality would inspire
- D. by explaining the benefits related to property holders and taxation
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Anthony addresses conflicting viewpoints about Universal Suffrage by referring to the foundational principles of equality and democracy upon which the country was established. This approach emphasizes the moral and ethical basis for suffrage, reinforcing the idea that all citizens deserve a voice in governance. Option A is incorrect as it focuses on historical challenges rather than the core principles of democracy. Option C, while relevant, highlights the potential outcomes of equality rather than the philosophical grounding needed for suffrage. Option D incorrectly centers on economic benefits for a specific group, which diverges from the broader argument for universal rights.
Anthony addresses conflicting viewpoints about Universal Suffrage by referring to the foundational principles of equality and democracy upon which the country was established. This approach emphasizes the moral and ethical basis for suffrage, reinforcing the idea that all citizens deserve a voice in governance. Option A is incorrect as it focuses on historical challenges rather than the core principles of democracy. Option C, while relevant, highlights the potential outcomes of equality rather than the philosophical grounding needed for suffrage. Option D incorrectly centers on economic benefits for a specific group, which diverges from the broader argument for universal rights.
Other Related Questions
The only reason her husband did not consult her about his business was that she did not wait to be consulted. What role does the sentence play in the excerpt?
- A. It foreshadows a decision the characters will face
- B. It develops the theme of cooperation.
- C. It helps establish important character traits
- D. It emphasizes a conflict over money.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The sentence highlights key character traits, particularly the husband's independence and the wife's assertiveness. This dynamic reveals their communication patterns and individual approaches to decision-making, which are crucial for understanding their relationship. Option A is incorrect, as the statement does not hint at future decisions but rather reflects their current situation. Option B misinterprets the essence of their relationship; it suggests cooperation, while the sentence indicates a lack of it. Option D inaccurately focuses on money, whereas the sentence centers on their interpersonal dynamics, not financial conflict.
The sentence highlights key character traits, particularly the husband's independence and the wife's assertiveness. This dynamic reveals their communication patterns and individual approaches to decision-making, which are crucial for understanding their relationship. Option A is incorrect, as the statement does not hint at future decisions but rather reflects their current situation. Option B misinterprets the essence of their relationship; it suggests cooperation, while the sentence indicates a lack of it. Option D inaccurately focuses on money, whereas the sentence centers on their interpersonal dynamics, not financial conflict.
Select the actions that the Gregory brothers have taken to connect with the surrounding community.
- A. placed cabins on their property for public use
- B. process 2,000 tons of trash each day
- C. operate an efficient landfill
- D. allow charitable groups to host fund-raising events on their property
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A, D, E
The Gregory brothers have actively engaged with their community by placing cabins on their property for public use (A), providing a space for recreation and connection. Additionally, allowing charitable groups to host fundraising events (D) fosters community involvement and support for local causes. Option B, processing 2,000 tons of trash daily, and option C, operating an efficient landfill, focus on waste management rather than community engagement. While these actions are essential for environmental sustainability, they do not directly connect the brothers with the community in a supportive or interactive manner.
The Gregory brothers have actively engaged with their community by placing cabins on their property for public use (A), providing a space for recreation and connection. Additionally, allowing charitable groups to host fundraising events (D) fosters community involvement and support for local causes. Option B, processing 2,000 tons of trash daily, and option C, operating an efficient landfill, focus on waste management rather than community engagement. While these actions are essential for environmental sustainability, they do not directly connect the brothers with the community in a supportive or interactive manner.
sselect two of the four details from the excerpt into the chart to show which main idea each supports. 1. The narrator is imaginative. 2. The narrator is observant.
- A. The narrator thinks the director looks like the music.
- B. The narrator notices the candlelight reflected off the violin.
- C. The narrator stands to the side while the ladies pass by.
- D. The narrator has a new dress for the concert.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A, B
Option A supports the idea that the narrator is imaginative, as it illustrates creative thinking by comparing the director's appearance to music, showcasing a unique perspective. Option B aligns with the narrator being observant, as it highlights attention to detail by noticing the candlelight's reflection on the violin, indicating a keen awareness of the surroundings. Option C does not directly demonstrate imagination or observance; instead, it shows the narrator's position without revealing insights about their thoughts or perceptions. Option D, while mentioning a new dress, does not provide evidence of either imagination or observance, focusing instead on a superficial detail unrelated to the narrator's cognitive engagement with their environment.
Option A supports the idea that the narrator is imaginative, as it illustrates creative thinking by comparing the director's appearance to music, showcasing a unique perspective. Option B aligns with the narrator being observant, as it highlights attention to detail by noticing the candlelight's reflection on the violin, indicating a keen awareness of the surroundings. Option C does not directly demonstrate imagination or observance; instead, it shows the narrator's position without revealing insights about their thoughts or perceptions. Option D, while mentioning a new dress, does not provide evidence of either imagination or observance, focusing instead on a superficial detail unrelated to the narrator's cognitive engagement with their environment.
What was the main purpose for Anthony's speech?
- A. to implore Congress to extend the right to vote to women
- B. to clarify the principles that guided the establishment laws in the United States
- C. to describe the role women have played in history in the United States
- D. to remind Congress of the property rights given to women
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Anthony's speech primarily aimed to advocate for women's suffrage, urging Congress to extend voting rights to women. This aligns directly with option A. Option B misinterprets the focus of the speech; while principles of governance may be mentioned, the core message is not about clarifying foundational laws. Option C inaccurately emphasizes a historical overview rather than the immediate call to action for women's voting rights. Option D, while addressing women's rights, incorrectly shifts the focus to property rights, which is not the central theme of Anthony's advocacy in this context.
Anthony's speech primarily aimed to advocate for women's suffrage, urging Congress to extend voting rights to women. This aligns directly with option A. Option B misinterprets the focus of the speech; while principles of governance may be mentioned, the core message is not about clarifying foundational laws. Option C inaccurately emphasizes a historical overview rather than the immediate call to action for women's voting rights. Option D, while addressing women's rights, incorrectly shifts the focus to property rights, which is not the central theme of Anthony's advocacy in this context.