jan 2, 1872 - On Women's Right to Vote

Description:

In 1872, Susan B. Anthony was charged for voting during the elections. She gave a speech, known as On Women’s Right to Vote, where she expresses that she did not commit a crime, she was just exercising the rights she had for being an American citizen. She argued how because women are also citizens, they are also endowed with inalienable rights and are therefore equal to men. Moreover, she states that since in the Constitution it is written “we the people,” women are also included. It does not say “we, white men only,” nor “we, men,” it says “we the people” the people, men and women, who form the union. She declares that women should not be discriminated against just because of their gender and instead they should be given the same rights and opportunities that are given to men. Anthony was fined for voting in an election, but she never paid the fine since she believed she did nothing wrong.

This document demonstrates that the American democracy at that time was failing to uphold the principles of equality and pursuit of happiness. It was not upholding the principle of equality since women did not have the same rights as men. The government fined Anthony just because she voted, but according to the Constitution, she had the right to vote since she was an American citizen. The American democracy was not upholding the principle of pursuit of happiness since women were not given the opportunities to achieve their goals.

Added to timeline:

Date:

Images: