Revolution or Rebellion? - Essay Sample

Introduction

Suffrage movement means the fight to have equal voting rights (n.a.). It is mainly associated with women's voting movement due to the prolonged fight for their freedom and rights to vote. In the 19th century, women had no rights. A woman's place was in the house, taking care of children and house chores, and not to engage in government issues. Wollstonecraft, believed to be the first feminist, was of the contrary opinion and believed that women were more than just objects and played a major role in society (Angela V 5). They had no rights to own property, work or earn wages and voting rights (Library of Congress). Voting rights were only limited to those who owned property and land, and since women were not allowed to own property, it meant that they could not vote.

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Even though suffrage movement's goal was to obtain the right to vote for women, they also needed issues such as white slavery, education, taxation and their position in law to be dealt with (Library of Congress). This led to the suffrage movement around the world. In the fight for their rights, earlier activists used both revolution tactics and rebellion. Two main active groups were fighting for voting rights. "These two groups were the 'suffragists' who campaigned using peaceful methods such as lobbying, and the 'suffragettes' who were determined to win the right to vote for women by any means" (Parliament.uk).

The suffrage movement was used as a tool to give women a voice and the rights as citizens and not as second-class citizens. At first, women started to revolt against discrimination on sex and wanted a change that could give them a right to vote. After some unsuccessful peaceful revolution, they changed their tactics to violent militant actions so that their voice could be heard. In 1848, the Women's Rights Convention started in Seneca Falls, New York (Library of Congress). During that time, women were not allowed to participate in the London convention and decided to form their convention headed by Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Stanton (Library of Congress). They demanded the right to vote and equality with regards to education and property ownership. They drafted a document known as the Declaration of Rights Movement. Mott and Elizabeth later joined the suffrage movement (Library of Congress).

The earlier activists and abolitionists revolted by creating reforms. For instance, Elizabeth Stanton created the American Equal Rights Association. When their rights were not recognized as voters, they further formed National Woman Suffrage and American Woman Suffrage Association. This was later changed to the National American Woman Suffrage Association led by Elizabeth Stanton (Library of Congress). Women used suffrage movement to revolt against the government in the fight for their freedom. They believed that by openly addressing their issues, their voice will be heard and need for change.

However, there were those such as Emmeline Pankhurst who believed that violence and rebellion was a solution (Emmeline). She and her daughters were the leaders of the British Suffragette movement as was referred to. She was the founder of the Women's Social and Political Union (WPSU). The group WPSU, in the fight for suffrage movement, took revolutionary actions such as expressing the needs for their rights through speeches, public publications in the newsletters and petitions. When this did not work, they turned to extreme acts of violence. She was of the opinion that radical tactics such as the use of violent militant actions were key to the fight of women's right. Through violence, they felt that they were the publicly recognized both by the media and the government and it was the only way to capture their attention. "Their militant campaigning sometimes included unlawful and violent acts which attracted much publicity" (Parliament.uk.)

When this did not work, they turned to extreme acts of violence. They thought that through deeds their actions were heard and felt. For instance, they participated in violent protests like the protest outside the parliament building when the women's suffrage bill was denied, and the government was forced to arrest them. When imprisoned, they would go on hunger strikes and dare the government to watch them die or give in to their demands. The government was forced to feed them through pipes. The WPSU interfered with elections because they were in constant conflicts with the ruling government and party. The WPSU published articles considered to be harmful to the public as they openly praised those who were caught committing crimes in the name of the suffrage movement. Other rebellious actions included; breaking window shops, using arson to burn and destroy people's property. "Those of you who can break windows-break them" (Emmeline). Mailboxes, railway stations, and churches.

Despite the fact that they attracted all the attention and got the publicity they needed, their violent actions were not approved by society at large. People alienated from their actions, and they were on bad terms with the government. The suffrage movement eventually led to the realization of women rights. For instance, in the United States, the 19th Amendment to the Constitution prohibits any citizen being denied the right to vote based on sex (Colleen). In as much as they have the right to vote, women are still fighting for equal rights and opportunities today.

Conclusion

In conclusion, as much as the movement rose as a revolution, it was characterized by violent scenarios that advocated for the destruction of property and killing to realize the needs of the movement. In this case, this was entirely a rebellion based on the outcome of the demands of the movement.

Works Cited

John, Angela V. "'Behind the locked door': evelyn sharp, suffragette and rebel journalist [1]." Women'History Review12.1 (2003): 5-13.

Library of Congress. "Women'S Suffrage". Loc.Gov, https://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/primarysourcesets/womens-suffrage/pdf/teacher_guide.pdf. Accessed 28 Oct 2018.

Mahany, Colleen. "The Women'S Suffrage Movement In The United States | Guided History". Blogs.Bu.Edu, 2018, http://blogs.bu.edu/guidedhistory/historians-craft/coleen-mahany/. Accessed 28 Oct 2018.

n.a. "Thomas Dorr's Treasonous Stand For Voting Rights". Blog.Tavbooks.Com, 2014, http://blog.tavbooks.com/?p=846. Accessed 28 Oct 2018.

Pankhurst, Emmeline. "I Incite This Meeting To Rebellion | Emmeline Pankhurst (October 17, 1912)". Historyisaweapon.Com, 1912, http://www.historyisaweapon.com/defcon1/pankhurstincitetorebel.html. Accessed 28 Oct 2018.

Parliament.uk. "Women And The Vote". UK Parliament, 2018, https://www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/transformingsociety/electionsvoting/womenvote/. Accessed 28 Oct 2018.