The women’s suffrage movement began before the 1840s and did not see national policy advancing women’s political participation until the 19th Amendment in 1920. Women such as Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucretia Mott, and Alice Paul are rightfully elevated in the story of women’s suffrage, and this inquiry honors them, but expands beyond the most famous names of the movement to highlight the efforts of everyday Americans. The images featured in this source set invite students to consider the organization, logistical necessities, skills, risks, and bravery required to participate in collective action for a cause, especially one aiming to disrupt the status quo.
Login to add Inquiry to Stack
About the inquiry
Compelling Question
How does collective action begin?
Standards
D2.Civ.5.9-12. Evaluate citizens’ and institutions’ effectiveness in addressing social and political problems at the local, state, tribal, national, and/or international level.
Instructional Snapshot
Class begins with students viewing a short introductory video, “Shall Not Be Denied,” that tells the story of women’s suffrage. As they watch, students complete a video viewing guide to note two facts they already knew, two facts they learned, and two questions they have about the movement.
Next, students analyze a source set that highlights a variety of actions that women’s suffrage activists participated in collectively. For each source, students brainstorm a list of skills, personal characteristics, and action steps necessary for the image in the source to exist using a source analysis organizer.
Finally, students work to produce either a visual or a written advertisement inviting people to join an activist organization, such as those depicted in the sources. Since this is an enduring compelling question, students can focus their advertisements on the suffrage movement or a modern issue.
Formative Tasks
COLLABORATE: Discuss how the “Shall Not Be Denied” video characterizes the women’s suffrage movement and what details can be explored for a more detailed story.
DELIBERATE: Considering the compelling question, determine what skills, characteristics, or actions the participants needed in order to begin a movement.
PRODUCE: Create an advertisement encouraging people to join an organization such as the National Woman’s Party or the National American Woman Suffrage Association.
Sources
Source A: “Shall Not be Denied”, Library of Congress
Source Set: Women’s Suffrage Collection, Library of Congress
Summative Performance Task
No data found.
Taking Informed Action
No data found.