Abolition Case

It's important to understand that there is a connection between the history abolitionism and feminism. Abolitionism was what gave way to the women's suffrage movement. Many women became leaders involved in both abolition and women's rights. Women first became involved in politics due to the abolition movement. Activities included petitions, public speaking, writing editorials, and organizing women protest groups. Women stepped out to protest their traditional roles of housewife, mother and obedient wife. For example Angelina Grimke helped spark the movement for women's rights. She argued; "I know nothing of women and men's rights. My doctrine is whatever it is morally right for man to do, it is morally right for woman to do." (Foner, 452)

Men in general were not just against what women like Angelina Grimke and other activists were saying about slavery but just the fact that they were women. Abolitionists and feminists began to believe slavery and oppression of women were interrelated. In 1848, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott, veterans of the antislavery crusade, organized the Seneca Falls Convention. For the first time Stanton raised the question of women's suffrage. The outcome of this convention led to the writing of the "Declaration of Sentiments". Stanton the author modeled it on the Declaration of Independence. It outlined demands for fair and equal rights of women as American citizens. Stanton told the convention; only the vote would make the woman "free as man is free." (Foner, 453) This declaration marked the beginning of woman's suffrage struggle. The Declaration also denounced the inequality in women's education and employment. Women clearly wanted equal rights across the board.

It is evident, that the Abolitionist movement was significantly important to the early stage of Women's Suffrage. The women's experiences empowered them to take action