First-wave feminism

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First-wave feminism refers to a period of feminist activity and thought that occurred during the 19th and early 20th centuries throughout the Western world. It focused primarily on legal issues, particularly on gaining women's suffrage (the right to vote).

Origins

First-wave feminism emerged out of an environment of urban industrialism and liberal, socialist politics. The goal of this wave was to open up opportunities for women, with a focus on suffrage. The term "first-wave" was coined retrospectively in the 1970s.

Key Figures

Prominent figures in first-wave feminism include Mary Wollstonecraft, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Sojourner Truth, and Emmeline Pankhurst. These women were instrumental in advocating for women's rights and suffrage.

Major Events

Significant events in the first-wave feminist movement include the Seneca Falls Convention of 1848, where the Declaration of Sentiments was signed, and the formation of the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) in 1890. The movement culminated in the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution in 1920, which granted women the right to vote in the United States.

Achievements

The primary achievement of first-wave feminism was the attainment of women's suffrage in various countries. In addition to suffrage, first-wave feminists also worked towards other legal rights, such as property rights, access to education, and better working conditions.

Criticism

First-wave feminism has been criticized for focusing primarily on the issues of middle-class white women, often neglecting the concerns of women of color and working-class women. This has led to the development of more inclusive feminist movements in subsequent waves.

Legacy

The legacy of first-wave feminism is evident in the continued struggle for gender equality. It laid the groundwork for subsequent feminist movements, including second-wave feminism and third-wave feminism.

Related Pages

• Second-wave feminism
• Third-wave feminism
• Women's suffrage
• Seneca Falls Convention
• Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution
• National American Woman Suffrage Association
• Mary Wollstonecraft
• Elizabeth Cady Stanton
• Susan B. Anthony
• Sojourner Truth
• Emmeline Pankhurst

See Also

• Feminism
• Gender equality
• Women's rights