Anti Suffrage ReasonsThe men and women who opposed woman's suffrage did so for many reasons. Many believed that men and women were fundamentally different and that women should not sully themselves in the dirty world of politics. Others argued that most women did not want the vote and that only a few, mostly radical, women would use it. This thread of argument worked in conjunction with the argument that men could not grant suffrage to only those they deemed worthy; instead, woman suffrage raised the possibility that all women would receive their ballots at the same time, without racial, education, or class distinctions. This frightened those in power, especially the whites of the South. ( ehistory)
https://ehistory.osu.edu/exhibitions/1912/womens_suffrage/interest |
Reasons |
Because all government rests ultimately on force, to which women, owing to physical, moral and social reasons, are not capable of contributing. Because there is little doubt that the vast majority of women have no desire for the vote.Because past legislation in Parliament shows that the interests of women are perfectly safe in the hands of men. Because Woman Suffrage is based on the idea of the equality of the sexes, and tends to establish those competitive relations which will destroy chivalrous consideration.Because women have at present a vast indirect influence through their menfolk on the politics of this country.Because the physical nature of women unfits them for direct competition with men.
http://www.johndclare.net/Women1_ArgumentsAgainst.htm |
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