HIS FPX 1150 Assessment 3 Lesson from History

Student Name

Capella University

HIS FPX 1150 U.S. History: How the Past Informs the Present

Prof. Name:

Date

Lesson from History

Hello, my presentation topic is Lessons from History. History imparts numerous lessons and helps guide our decisions in both the present and future. While many events in U.S. history offer valuable insights for future actions, this presentation specifically focuses on women’s rights.

Chosen Issue and Primary Research Question

An issue worth examining is the struggle for women’s suffrage in the United States. The main research question could be: What are some ongoing concerns regarding women’s rights in the U.S. that are reminiscent of those that prompted the suffrage movement, despite the progress made in this area?

Sub-Questions

To address the main question, the following sub-questions could be explored:

Is there equal treatment for men and women in the workplace?
Have opportunities and perceptions for women improved?
Are women holding significant positions in shaping public policy?
What is the current role of women in U.S. politics?
How would leaders from the suffrage movement view women’s rights today?

By addressing these sub-questions, we can better understand how suffragists successfully advocated for their rights and ultimately achieved the right to vote.

Overview

The fight for women’s suffrage in the United States was a long and challenging journey that began in the mid-19th century and concluded with the passage of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1920. Understanding this historical event and its long-term impact requires a comprehensive analysis of various aspects, including the social, political, and cultural context of the time, the key individuals and groups involved, and the strategies and tactics employed to achieve the goal of women’s suffrage.

Credibility of Resources

Addams, J. (1915). Modern History Sourcebooks: Jane Addams: Why Women Should Vote, 1915. Retrieved from https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/mod/1915janeadams-vote.asp
Credibility: The author lived during that time period, and many of the events described can be verified through other reliable sources.

Walton, M. (N.D). A Woman’s War. Retrieved from www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/the-great-war-woman’s-war/
Credibility: The credibility of this source is established due to its publication by the Public Broadcasting System.

Interchange: Women’s suffrage, the Nineteenth Amendment, and the right to vote. (2019). Journal of American History, 106(3), 662–694. https://doi.org/10.1093/jahist/jaz506
Credibility: The author lived during that period, and many of the events described can be verified through other reliable sources.

Miller, G. (2008). Women’s suffrage, political responsiveness, and child survival in American history. The Quarterly Journal of Economics, 123(3), 1287–1327. https://doi.org/10.1162/qjec.2008.123.3.1287
Credibility: The credibility of this source is established due to its publication by the Public Broadcasting System.

Causes and Long-term Impacts

Women’s suffrage refers to the legal right of women to participate in elections by casting their vote. Historically, women were denied the right to vote in many societies, including ancient Greece, Rome, and some early European democracies (Britannica, 2023). In the United States, it took nearly a century of activism and campaigning for women to finally secure this right (History.com Editors, n.d.).

One significant long-term impact of women’s suffrage has been the increased political equality between men and women. As more women became eligible to vote, their participation at the polls steadily grew. Research has also shown that after American women gained the right to vote, child mortality rates decreased by up to 15 percent, and there was an increase in both school funding and enrollment (Britannica, 2020).

During NZ Suffrage Campaign

Members of the women’s suffrage movement in Philadelphia, 1917 (Britannica, 2020).
British suffragette under arrest after participating in an attack on Buckingham Palace, London, in 1914 (Britannica, 2020).

Relating Past Challenges and Strategies to a Current Organizational Issue

Women in present-day America continue to face challenges regarding general perception and acceptance as working individuals. For American women, work-family balance remains a particular issue (Kim et al., 2023). Historical research into the struggles of women during the 18th and 19th centuries provides valuable context for understanding these issues today.

By examining the lives and aspirations of women in those eras, their experiences with war and poverty, and the support (or lack thereof) they received from men, we can better understand how these challenges have evolved. This historical research can inform strategies for addressing current organizational issues related to gender equality and work-family balance.

For instance, organizations can develop policies and programs that support work-family balance by understanding the pressures faced by women with children in managing their family and work lives. These programs might include flexible work arrangements or on-site childcare. Additionally, recognizing the need for men to be supportive and encouraging to both housewives and working wives can help organizations promote a culture of gender equality.

Conclusion

Historical research into the struggles of women offers valuable insights for understanding current challenges related to gender equality and work-family balance. By studying the past and learning from it, organizations can develop policies and programs that support work-family balance and foster a culture of gender equality.

References

Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia. (2020, September 25). Causes and effects of women’s suffrage in the United States. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/summary/Causes-and-Effects-of-Womens-Suffrage-in-the-United-States

Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia. (2023, February 22). Women’s suffrage. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/woman-suffrage

History.com Editors. (n.d.). Women’s suffrage. HISTORY; A&E Television Networks. Retrieved March 10, 2023, from https://www.history.com/topics/womens-history/the-fight-for-womens-suffrage