Essay On Iron Jawed Angels The Fight For Womens Voting Rights
This essay examines the pivotal struggle for women's voting rights, using the film 'Iron Jawed Angels' as a lens. It details the strategic activism of suffragists like Alice Paul and Lucy Burns, their confrontational tactics, and the significant opposition they faced. The analysis highlights the movement's evolution, the sacrifices made, and the eventual passage of the 19th Amendment, underscoring the film's portrayal of courage and determination in achieving a fundamental democratic right. It serves as a case study in social change and political advocacy.
The National Woman's Party (NWP), led by Alice Paul and Lucy Burns, adopted a strategy focused on a federal amendment, diverging from state-by-state efforts.
Confrontational tactics, such as picketing the White House, were central to the NWP's approach, designed to draw national attention and pressure the government.
Suffragists faced severe opposition, including arrests, imprisonment, and brutal treatment like force-feeding, which paradoxically generated public sympathy.
'Iron Jawed Angels' effectively portrays how sustained, radical activism, despite personal cost, was a significant factor in achieving the 19th Amendment.
Assignment brief
Write an essay analyzing the strategies and impact of the women's suffrage movement as depicted in the film 'Iron Jawed Angels.' Your essay should discuss the key figures, their methods of protest, the societal and political obstacles they encountered, and the ultimate significance of their fight for the 19th Amendment. Consider how the film portrays the evolution of the movement and the personal costs involved.
Reference example
The fight for women's suffrage in the United States was a protracted and often contentious battle, marked by decades of advocacy, protest, and sacrifice. The film 'Iron Jawed Angels' vividly captures a crucial, more radical phase of this movement, focusing on the relentless efforts of Alice Paul and Lucy Burns and their organization, the National Woman's Party (NWP). By employing confrontational tactics and challenging the status quo, Paul and her allies injected urgency into the suffrage cause, ultimately contributing significantly to the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920. This essay will explore the strategies employed by the NWP, the formidable opposition they faced, and the enduring legacy of their activism as portrayed in the film.
Alice Paul and Lucy Burns, having gained experience with the more established National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA), recognized the need for a more aggressive approach. Disillusioned with the slow pace of state-by-state campaigns and the perceived complacency of NAWSA's leadership under Carrie Chapman Catt, Paul and Burns founded the Congressional Union for Woman Suffrage in 1916, which later became the National Woman's Party. Their strategy was clear: focus national attention on securing a federal amendment to the Constitution granting women the right to vote. This was a departure from the prevailing strategy, which prioritized achieving suffrage state by state. The NWP believed that a federal amendment was the only way to guarantee suffrage for all women across the nation, regardless of their state of residence.
'Iron Jawed Angels' effectively illustrates the NWP's innovative and often provocative tactics. One of the most striking examples is the picketing of the White House, beginning in January 1917. These 'Silent Sentinels,' as they were known, stood with banners demanding President Woodrow Wilson take action on suffrage. Their vigil continued for over a year, through all weather conditions, and represented a direct, public challenge to the President and his administration. This was a bold move, particularly during wartime, as it drew attention to the hypocrisy of fighting for democracy abroad while denying it to half the population at home. The film shows how the sentinels' banners evolved from polite requests to pointed criticisms, such as 'Mr. President, how long must women wait for liberty?' and later, during World War I, 'Kaiser Wilson, have you forgotten your sympathy with the trapped Germans and the broken Belgium? Twenty million American women are denied the right of self-government.'
The response to these protests was severe. The suffragists were arrested on charges of 'obstructing traffic,' a flimsy pretext for silencing dissent. The film depicts the brutal treatment they received in the Occoquan Workhouse and other prisons. Suffragists endured hunger strikes, forced feedings, and psychological torment. Alice Paul's own prolonged hunger strike and subsequent brutal force-feeding, as shown in the movie, became a powerful symbol of their suffering and resilience. These accounts, though dramatized, are rooted in historical fact and highlight the extreme measures taken by authorities to suppress the movement. The public outcry generated by the harsh treatment of the suffragists, particularly when news of the force-feedings began to leak, served to galvanize public opinion and increase pressure on the Wilson administration.
Beyond the White House pickets, the NWP employed other strategies to keep suffrage in the public eye. They organized parades, rallies, and speaking tours. They also engaged in civil disobedience, such as burning effigies and distributing pamphlets that criticized the government's inaction. The film portrays the complex relationship between the NWP and NAWSA. While both organizations sought the same ultimate goal, their methods differed significantly. NAWSA, led by Carrie Chapman Catt, pursued a more traditional lobbying approach, working within established political channels and emphasizing women's patriotism and suitability for citizenship. The NWP, in contrast, believed that direct action and public confrontation were necessary to force change. This tension between different strategic approaches is a key element in understanding the broader suffrage movement.
The opposition faced by the suffragists was multifaceted. Anti-suffrage groups, often funded by corporations and liquor interests who feared women voters would support prohibition, actively campaigned against the amendment. Traditional gender roles and deeply ingrained patriarchal attitudes also presented significant barriers. Many men, and even some women, believed that women's place was in the home and that political participation would undermine the family and society. The film illustrates this resistance through scenes depicting heckling, arrests, and the general societal disapproval that greeted the suffragists' public activities.
The impact of the NWP's actions, as depicted in 'Iron Jawed Angels,' was profound. Their persistent and often controversial tactics forced the suffrage issue onto the national agenda in a way that had not happened before. The harsh treatment of the suffragists generated sympathy and support, while the unwavering determination of figures like Alice Paul inspired many. President Wilson, initially resistant, eventually shifted his stance, influenced by the growing public pressure and the moral argument that it was inconsistent to fight for democracy abroad while denying it to American women. In 1918, he publicly endorsed the federal suffrage amendment. The passage of the 19th Amendment by Congress in 1919 and its subsequent ratification in 1920 was the culmination of over seventy years of struggle, with the NWP's radical activism playing a critical role in the final push.
In conclusion, 'Iron Jawed Angels' offers a compelling portrayal of the courage, strategic brilliance, and unwavering resolve of the suffragists who fought for women's right to vote. Alice Paul, Lucy Burns, and their fellow activists employed tactics that were both innovative and confrontational, challenging societal norms and political inertia. Despite facing brutal opposition and imprisonment, their persistence ultimately proved instrumental in securing the 19th Amendment. The film serves as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made in the pursuit of democratic rights and the effectiveness of sustained, determined activism in achieving significant social and political change.
Analysis of 'Iron Jawed Angels' and the Suffrage Movement
The provided essay offers a comprehensive analysis of the women's suffrage movement, specifically using the film 'Iron Jawed Angels' as a primary source for understanding a critical period of activism. It moves beyond a simple plot summary to dissect the strategic choices, challenges, and ultimate successes of the National Woman's Party (NWP).
Thesis and Argument
The essay's central argument is that the confrontational and persistent tactics of Alice Paul and the NWP, as depicted in 'Iron Jawed Angels,' were crucial in accelerating the passage of the 19th Amendment. The thesis is clearly stated early on: 'By employing confrontational tactics and challenging the status quo, Paul and her allies injected urgency into the suffrage cause, ultimately contributing significantly to the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920.' The rest of the essay supports this claim by detailing the specific strategies, the opposition, and the impact.
Structure and Organization
The essay follows a logical and effective structure. It begins with an introduction that sets the historical context and presents the thesis. Subsequent paragraphs delve into specific aspects of the movement: the strategic shift by Paul and Burns, the NWP's tactics (White House picketing), the brutal response and imprisonment, other forms of activism, the nature of the opposition, and finally, the impact and legacy. This progression allows for a thorough exploration of the topic, building the argument step by step. The conclusion effectively summarizes the main points and reiterates the thesis.
Use of Evidence and Examples
The essay effectively uses the film 'Iron Jawed Angels' as its primary evidence base. It references specific events and tactics shown in the movie, such as the Silent Sentinels' picketing, the 'obstructing traffic' arrests, the conditions in the Occoquan Workhouse, and the force-feeding of Alice Paul. These examples are integrated into the analysis to illustrate the points being made about the NWP's strategy and the opposition's reaction. The essay also briefly mentions historical context, like the existence of NAWSA and Carrie Chapman Catt, to highlight the NWP's distinct approach.
Tone and Style
The tone is academic, objective, and analytical. It avoids overly emotional language while still conveying the significance and hardship of the suffragists' struggle. The style is clear and direct, with well-constructed sentences and appropriate vocabulary for an academic essay. The use of transitions between paragraphs (e.g., 'Beyond the White House pickets,' 'The opposition faced by the suffragists') helps the essay flow smoothly.
Revision Opportunities
Deeper engagement with historical sources: While the film is a strong visual aid, incorporating direct quotes from historical figures or references to scholarly works on the suffrage movement could further strengthen the analysis and demonstrate broader research.
Nuance in comparing NWP and NAWSA: The essay notes the strategic differences but could explore the complexities of their relationship further, perhaps discussing any instances of cooperation or the specific criticisms each group leveled against the other.
Broader context of the 19th Amendment: While the essay focuses on the NWP's role, briefly acknowledging the contributions of other groups and the long history of the suffrage movement before the NWP's more radical phase could provide a more complete picture.
Analysis of the film's portrayal: The essay treats the film's depiction as factual. A more advanced analysis might briefly consider how the film itself shapes our understanding of the events, acknowledging potential dramatic liberties or thematic emphases.
Example of Integrating Film Evidence
The essay states: 'The film shows how the sentinels' banners evolved from polite requests to pointed criticisms, such as 'Mr. President, how long must women wait for liberty?' and later, during World War I, 'Kaiser Wilson, have you forgotten your sympathy with the trapped Germans and the broken Belgium? Twenty million American women are denied the right of self-government.'' This is a strong example of using specific visual evidence from the film to support the claim about the NWP's increasingly bold and critical messaging.
FAQs
What was the main difference between the NWP and NAWSA?
The National Woman's Party (NWP), co-founded by Alice Paul and Lucy Burns, focused primarily on securing a federal amendment for women's suffrage through more direct and confrontational tactics like picketing. The National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA), led by Carrie Chapman Catt, generally pursued a strategy of lobbying and working state-by-state, often emphasizing a more traditional and less radical approach to gain broader public and political acceptance.
How did 'Iron Jawed Angels' portray the opposition to suffrage?
The film depicts significant opposition from various sources: anti-suffrage groups funded by industries fearing reform (like prohibition), societal attitudes upholding traditional gender roles, and the government itself, which used arrests and harsh imprisonment tactics against the suffragists. It shows the public often mocking or jeering the protesters, highlighting the deep-seated resistance to women's political involvement.
What is the significance of the 19th Amendment?
The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1920, prohibits the states and the federal government from denying the right to vote to citizens of the United States on the basis of sex. It was a monumental victory for the women's suffrage movement, granting millions of American women the right to vote and fundamentally altering the landscape of American democracy and political participation.
Were the events in 'Iron Jawed Angels' historically accurate?
While 'Iron Jawed Angels' is a dramatization and takes creative liberties for narrative effect, it is largely based on historical events and figures. The core strategies of the NWP, the White House picketing, the arrests, the imprisonment, and the harsh treatment of suffragists, including Alice Paul's hunger strike and force-feeding, are historically documented. The film aims to capture the spirit and intensity of this period of the suffrage movement.