Image: Photograph of Black woman voter, Washington D.C., November 1963, by Marion Trikosko. Library of Congress
Primary Sources
Expand for discussion questions.
Why did the authors choose to mirror the Declaration of Independence (1776) in writing the Declaration of Sentiments?
What does "inalienable" mean? Compare its use here to how the word is used in the Declaration of Independence. Why do the authors consider the right to vote to have the same qualities as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness?
According to the authors, how had the denial of women the right to vote "oppressed her [women] on all sides"?
According to Frederick Douglass, why is it more important for Black men than women to have their voting rights guaranteed?
According to Susan B. Anthony, why is it important for Congress to expand the 15th Amendment to protect women's voting rights?
Why is Lucy Stone willing to support the 15th Amendment despite the fact that it does not extend to women?
What do you think the authors meant when they described suffrage as a question "of policy and expediency" and not one "of right or of justice"?
Why do these opponents of women suffrage believe it would be a "backward step in the progress of civilization"?
How do these opponents of woman suffrage characterize the relationship of men and women in society?
Florence Luscomb Papers, Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America. Harvard University
What do the supporters of woman suffrage argue has been the result of anti-suffragists claim that "women...have enjoyed exemption from that burdensome duty" of voting? (Item 2)
What does the term "household suffrage" mean? Why do woman suffragists oppose it?
How do the supporters of woman suffrage respond to complaints that woman suffrage would conflict with women's traditional roles?
Humanities: The Magazine of the National Endowment for the Humanities