Show Work in groups and divide the speech between you.
Dig deeper:Carrie Chapman Catt
Write:Write a rhetorical analysis of 'Address to the Congress on Women's Suffrage' by Carrie Chapman Catt. Before you start writing, you may want to discuss the following questions in groups or in class.
To learn more about rhetorical analysis, visit the article found in 'Related Content' at the bottom of the page. Close read:Opposition to women's suffrage In the late 19th century, an anti-suffragism movement developed in countries like Australia, Ireland, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The movement was supported by both men and women, and it was a largely conservative movement that sought to maintain status quo for women. It was closely associated with 'domestic feminism', according to which women had the right to freedom and autonomy within the family, whereas their participation in public life should be limited. Close read the leaflets and letter in the expandable box. You will find a transcript of all the posters and leaflets at the bottom of the page.
Vote NO to Woman Suffrage Pennsylvania Association Opposed to Woman Suffrage
Vote Against Woman Suffrage Alabama Male Association Opposed to Woman Suffrage TranscriptTranscript 1: Vote NO on Woman Suffrage
Votes for women can accomplish no more than votes for men. Why waste time, energy, and money, without result? National Association OPPOSED to Woman Suffrage. Transcript 2: Pennsylvania Association Opposed to Woman Suffrage.Our platformWe stand for the conservation of the best of American womanhood of all conditions and stations of life, for the preservation of the home and the retention of the best ideals of preceding generations adapted to the advantages and opportunities given to women under modern conditions. We believe that women according to their leisure, opportunity and experience should take part increasingly in civic and municipal affairs, as they have always done in charitable, philanthropic and educational activities, and we believe that this can be done by women without the ballot, as a nonpartisan body of disinterested workers. WOMAN SUFFRAGE MEANS JURY DUTY FOR WOMEN WOMAN SUFFRAGE MEANS HIGHER TAXES Woman suffrage brings enormous taxes and great hardships to property owners. In Illinois taxes have increased in some places 190 per cent in the four years since women have voted. In Colorado taxes are so heavy that property is unsalable. In California since 1910 the cost of government has increased 101 per cent. The population in the same time has increased only 19 per cent. Women have voted in California since 1911. SHALL WE WASTE ON WOMAN SUFFRAGE THE TAXPAYER'S MONEY SO URGENTLY NEEDED FOR NATIONAL DEFENSE? WAKE UP AND DEFEAT WOMAN SUFFRAGE Transcript 3: Vote Against Woman Suffrage
The Georgia Association OPPOSED TO Woman's Suffrage. Transcript 4Alabama Male Association Opposed to Woman SuffrageMy Dear Senator I note the Senate anticipate taking action at an early date upon the proposed Susan B. Anthony Suffrage Amendment. The proposed submission of this Amendment seems so foreign to the democracy taught us by Morgan and Pettus, who gave their life as a service, that the South might live, that I cannot believe any Southern Senator could lend it support. If the South yields its control of suffrage to the Federal government all the efforts of the manhood of the past will have been in vain. I am not afraid of our government, but I do not want to be placed in a position where we will always have to trust the party in power to be merciful to us - the South had to take a dose of that medicine once and it was very, very bitter. Equity demands no fairer solution of the question of woman suffrage than each state be permitted to solve the issue for itself and if we take away this right from the states they lose their identity and become mere parcels of a central government. President Wilson has stated "When the soldiers come back from Europe they will be heroes; we will have to treat them different; they will expect something". Among "those soldiers" will be thousands of negroes, trained in military efficiency and the use of high power rifles, with the possibility of the ballot in their hands, I ask in all seriousness - what will become of white supremacy in the grand old south? There is a grave responsibility resting upon our representatives and we can only plead and trust they will not betray us. I can see no possible good in the Amendment, but there is ample opportunity for much harm. Will you help defeat it when it comes up. Very cordially yours Martin L Calhoun Related content |