Question

Why did Elizabeth Cady Stanton model her document after the Declaration of Independence? (A) to highlight the fact that their fight for equality was baseless (B) to acknowledge that women would soon be accepted as superior to men (C) to highlight the hypocrisy of not allowing women to vote and participate in making laws that they will be governed by (D) to celebrate women's achievement of equal rights nearly 70 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence

Short answer

(C) to highlight the hypocrisy of not allowing women to vote and participate in making laws that they will be governed by

Step-by-step solution

Option A: To highlight the fact that their fight for equality was baseless

This option suggests that Stanton wanted to show that the fight for women's rights was unnecessary. However, this contradicts her actions and beliefs, as she is considered a key figure in the women's rights movement. We can eliminate this option.

Option B: To acknowledge that women would soon be accepted as superior to men

This option implies that Stanton's goal was to prove women's superiority over men, which again does not align with her fight for equal rights. She aimed to gain equality, not superiority. We can eliminate this option as well.

Option C: To highlight the hypocrisy of not allowing women to vote and participate in making laws that they will be governed by

This option focuses on Stanton's desire to expose the inconsistency between the principles outlined in the Declaration of Independence and the treatment of women at the time. By modeling her document after the Declaration of Independence, she could emphasize the importance of equal rights for all individuals, including women, and how the existing government was not living up to this ideal. This option is a strong contender.

Option D: To celebrate women's achievement of equal rights nearly 70 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence

This option suggests that Stanton's goal was to celebrate the progress made in women's rights. However, the purpose of her document was to demand equality, not to celebrate it, as women still lacked many basic rights, including the right to vote. We can eliminate this option. In conclusion, the correct answer is: (C) to highlight the hypocrisy of not allowing women to vote and participate in making laws that they will be governed by

Key concepts

Women's Suffrage

The women's suffrage movement was a decades-long fight to secure the right to vote for women across the United States. It was a significant part of the broader women's rights movement that sought equality in various aspects of life, including education, employment, and the law.

Key figures like Susan B. Anthony, Sojourner Truth, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton paved the way for the 19th Amendment, which was ratified in 1920, granting American women the right to vote. This victory was the result of strategic campaigns, including marches, protests, and the presentation of powerful arguments for gender equality. Suffragists often faced opposition and ridicule but remained steadfast in their advocacy for equal rights.

Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence is a foundational historical document in the United States, officially adopted on July 4, 1776. It announced the thirteen American colonies' intent to separate from British rule and justified this decision by outlining a philosophy of individual rights and government by consent.

Key phrases such as 'all men are created equal' and the assertion of certain unalienable rights, including 'Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness,' have resonated throughout history. Although originally not meant to apply to women or enslaved persons, these principles fueled various groups to fight for their inclusion in the promise of American liberty and equality.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Elizabeth Cady Stanton was one of the leading figures in the early women's rights movement. Born in 1815, Stanton was a social activist, abolitionist, and suffragist who worked tirelessly for women's legal rights.

She co-organized the first women's rights convention at Seneca Falls in 1848 and played a crucial role in drafting the Declaration of Sentiments, a document inspired by the Declaration of Independence. Stanton's eloquence and dedication garnered attention and support for the suffrage cause, although she sometimes faced criticism for her more radical positions, including the demand for women's right to divorce and reproductive self-determination.

Historical Document Analysis

Historical document analysis is a critical skill in studying history. It involves examining texts, such as the Declaration of Independence, to understand their meaning, context, significance, and implications.

Through analysis, historians can determine a document's purpose, the author's intentions, the audience it addresses, and the historical circumstances when it was written. When analyzing documents like Elizabeth Cady Stanton's Declaration of Sentiments, one can see how she drew parallels with the Declaration of Independence to emphasize the ideals of equality and to critique the exclusion of women from these rights.