The Women'S Role in the

19th and 20th century

GEOGRAFÍA E HISTORIA

Yaiza Vidal Ortega 4ESO A

Activities

1) ¡You’ve just watched the movie ‘Suffragette’ (United Kingdom, 2015). Answer True or
False to the following question

TRUE FALSE

a. Working class women were expected to marry young, care for their home X
and children, and help support the family.
b. Women did not have universal access to free and public education. X
c. Women could not file for divorce without their husband’s consent. X
d. In wartime, women were prohibited from working in munitions factories. X
e. Women were forbidden to organize to promote their cause. X
f. Authorities could force-feed women prisoners who engaged in hunger X
strikes to promote their cause.
g. Men who assaulted women protesters were rarely, if ever, punished. X
h. The law transferred a woman’s wealth and property to her husband when X
she married.
i. Women received pay equal to men for their work. X
j. Women were allowed custody of their children if they divorced their X
husband.

2) What is the Women’s Suffrage Movement? Explain with your own words.

The Women's Suffrage Movement was a historic event in getting women the right to vote. It
happened in the 19th and 20th centuries. Suffragettes fought for legal changes and social and
economic equality, organizing protests and facing resistance. They achieved things like women's
suffrage in New Zealand in 1893 and the passage of the 19th Amendment in the United States in
1920.

3) What difficulties did women face to in their fight for rights?

● Laws put up a wall for women, denying them basic rights like voting or owning property.
● The legal systems were rooted in patriarchal norms, making it hard for women to fight
against unfair laws.
● These expectations were deeply ingrained in our culture, making it difficult for women to
break free from them.
 ● The availability of educational opportunities for women was severely limited in the past.
● Without access to education, women faced difficulties in expressing their rights and
engaging in public discussions with confidence.
● This financial reliance on men has undoubtedly presented a formidable barrier for women
in terms of challenging societal expectations and embracing more progressive gender
roles.
● As a result, advocating for political representation has become an integral part of the
women's rights movement.
● Women faced significant limitations on their reproductive rights, such as the ability to
control birth control and access to abortion.
● Restricting their choices regarding reproduction played a crucial role in the struggle for
women's rights.

4) Make a chronological line with the countries that approved the right to vote of women,
including Spain. What other rights did they get?

● In 1893, New Zealand made history by becoming the first country to grant women the
right to vote and achieve self-governance.
● In federal elections, Australia granted women the right to vote in 1902.
● In 1906, Finland made history as the first country in Europe to grant women the right to
vote.
● In 1913, Norway granted suffrage to women.
● Following the Russian Revolution in 1917, women in Russia achieved the right to vote.
● Over the age of 21, most Canadian women obtain the right to vote in Canada in 1918.
● In Germany, women were granted suffrage in 1918.
● In 1918, Partial suffrage is granted to women in the UK and full suffrage is achieved in
1928, United Kingdom.
● The U.S. Constitution is ratified in 1920, granting women the right to vote with the
United States' 19th Amendment.
● During the Second Spanish Republic in 1931, the right to vote was granted to Spanish
women.
Over time, various rights have been gained in different areas. One such right is equal pay, which
gained momentum in the mid-20th century and remains a significant focus today. Lastly,
increased participation of women in politics has led to improved representation in legislative
bodies and leadership positions.
5) Write the names of 5 women who fought for the right to vote of women.

Susan B. Anthony (1820–1906)

Emmeline Pankhurst (1858–1928)

Alice Paul (1885–1977)

Suffragettes in New Zealand (Various, including Kate Sheppard)

Millicent Fawcett (1847–1929)

6) What is the vision of women in the early twentieth century? Compares the situation in the
USA and Spain (during the Second Republic and Francoism).

Feminism is a socio-political movement and ideology that advocates for gender equality and
seeks to address and rectify historical and systemic inequalities faced by women. It is not a
homogeneous movement, but rather a diverse set of beliefs and practices united by the common
goal of achieving gender equality. Equating feminism with extremism through the use of such a
term oversimplifies and misrepresents the diverse and legitimate goals of the feminist movement.
It is crucial to engage in conversations about feminism with an open mind, understanding that
there are various perspectives within the movement and that the overarching goal is to address
and eliminate gender-based discrimination and inequality. During the early 20th century,
womens roles in society underwent significant changes in the United States, Spain during the
Second Republic, and Spain during Francoism. In Spain during the Second Republic, women
gained greater visibility and participation in public life, including the right to vote in 1931. It was
only in the late 1950s and early 1960s that some restrictions on women were gradually lifted in
Spain, although gender roles remained conservative experiencing ongoing advancements in
women's rights while Spain's progress was interrupted by political upheavals and a
dictatorship.In the United States in the 1960s, a women's liberation movement and the fight for
civil rights for the black population were created. In 1960, the National Organization of Women
(NOW) was founded and later groups were created that defended labor equality for both genders,
women's right to their own sexuality, the rejection of male predominance in the family, etc. In
addition, massive demonstrations were created.
7) Explain the concept of Feminism. It is the same to say Feminazi? What is the difference?

Feminism is not a single, uniform ideology; rather, it encompasses a diverse range of

perspectives and approaches, including liberal feminism, radical feminism, ecofeminism, and
intersectional feminism. On the other hand, the term ‘‘Feminazi‘‘ is a derogatory and
inflammatory term coined by some to criticize or mock what they perceive as extreme or radical
feminist views. In short, feminism is a broad and inclusive movement working toward gender
equality, while ‘‘Feminazi‘‘ is a pejorative term used to stereotype and dismiss certain perceived
feminist viewpoints. Engaging in constructive dialogue about gender issues involves
understanding the nuanced perspectives within feminism rather than resorting to derogatory
labels.

8) Read the speech that Emma Watson gave at the United Nations Conference about
Feminism. What do you think? Write an essay of 180-200 words giving your opinion about the
role of women today and the new fights of the feminist movement nowadays.

She highlighted the importance of involving men in the fight for gender equality and emphasized
that feminism is not about hating men, but about achieving political, economic and social
equality of the sexes. Today's feminist movement fights for issues such as reproductive rights,
equal pay, and ending violence against women. However, I also think it is important to recognize
that gender equality is not just a women's issue, but rather a human rights issue. To achieve true
gender equality, we must continue to fight for the rights of women and men alike. This means
addressing issues such as the gender pay gap, reproductive rights and ending violence against
women. It also means recognizing that gender equality is not just a women's issue, but rather a
human rights issue. By involving men in the fight for gender equality, we can create a more
inclusive and equitable society for all. We must continue to fight for the rights of women and
men alike, and recognize that gender equality is not just a women's issue, but rather a human
rights issue. By working together, we can achieve true gender equality and create a more
inclusive and equitable society for all.