Isabella Carter
Susan B. Anthony was a prominent American activist and reformer who played a pivotal role in the women's suffrage movement in the United States during the nineteenth century. Born in 1820 in Massachusetts, Anthony dedicated her life to advocating for women's rights, including suffrage, equal pay, and improved social and legal standing. Her interpretation of the Constitution was shaped by her unwavering belief in equality and her commitment to challenging discriminatory laws. Anthony's actions, such as voting in violation of laws restricting suffrage to men, and her subsequent arrest and trial, brought national attention to the women's suffrage cause. Despite facing setbacks and opposition, she persevered in her pursuit of constitutional amendments that would guarantee women's right to vote, paving the way for the Nineteenth Amendment's ratification in 1920, fourteen years after her death.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of Birth | 1820 |
| Place of Birth | Adams, Massachusetts |
| Parents | Daniel Anthony and Lucy Read Anthony |
| Interpretation of the Fourteenth Amendment | Allowed women to vote |
| Trial | 1873 |
| Fine | $100 |
| Amendment named after her | 19th Amendment |
| Year of Death | 1906 |
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What You'll Learn
Susan B. Anthony's interpretation of the Fourteenth Amendment
Susan B. Anthony was a prominent American activist and reformer who played a crucial role in the women's suffrage movement in the United States during the 19th century. Born in 1820 in Massachusetts, she came from a family with a strong commitment to social reform.
In the context of her interpretation of the Fourteenth Amendment, it is essential to understand the historical context and Anthony's actions. The Fourteenth Amendment was added to the United States Constitution after the Civil War to grant equal protection under the law to all citizens, including freed Black people. The amendment defined citizens as "anyone born or naturalized in the United States."
Susan B. Anthony had a unique interpretation of the Fourteenth Amendment. In 1872, she decided to test the boundaries of this amendment by exercising her right to vote. At the time, voting laws allowed only men to vote, and women were explicitly excluded from the franchise. Anthony, along with her sisters and several other women, went to vote, an act that was considered a violation of the law. She was subsequently arrested and put on trial, where she was found guilty and fined $100, which she refused to pay.
Anthony's interpretation of the Fourteenth Amendment was based on her understanding of citizenship and equal protection under the law. As a citizen of the United States, she believed that the Fourteenth Amendment guaranteed her the right to vote, regardless of her gender. By taking this action, Anthony was challenging the existing legal interpretation of the Constitution, which excluded women from the voting process.
Her interpretation of the Fourteenth Amendment set a precedent and sparked a nationwide discussion about women's suffrage. Anthony's actions and subsequent trial brought attention to the inconsistencies and injustices in the law. Her work, along with that of other suffragists, laid the groundwork for the eventual passage of the Nineteenth Amendment in 1920, which guaranteed women the right to vote.
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Her arrest and trial for voting
Susan B. Anthony was born on February 15, 1820, in Adams, Massachusetts, and devoted more than fifty years of her life to the cause of women's suffrage. On November 5, 1872, Anthony attempted to cast a vote in the presidential election in her hometown of Rochester, New York. At the time, only men were allowed to vote under state laws. Anthony's action was a deliberate challenge to these laws, and she was well aware of the potential consequences. Two weeks after the election, she was arrested, sparking a highly publicized trial that brought national attention to the women's suffrage movement.
During her trial in June 1873, Anthony argued that she had the right to vote as a citizen of the United States under the recently adopted Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution, which states that "No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States." However, the judge, Ward Hunt, instructed the jury to find Anthony guilty without deliberation. On the final day of the trial, Hunt asked Anthony if she had anything to say, to which she responded, "I shall never pay a dollar of your unjust penalty," and she never did.
The trial was a significant milestone in the women's suffrage movement, as it highlighted the legal system's denial of women's right to vote. Anthony's conviction and refusal to pay the fine sent a powerful message of resistance and inspired other women to continue the fight for their rights. The publicity surrounding the trial also helped to shift the focus of the women's rights movement primarily to women's suffrage.
In addition to Anthony, fourteen other women who had voted in the same election were arrested. However, they were not indicted or tried. The election inspectors who allowed the women to vote were also arrested, tried, and found guilty of violating the Enforcement Act of 1870. This trial further emphasized the injustice faced by women who were denied a voice in the democratic process.
The impact of Susan B. Anthony's arrest and trial extended beyond her lifetime. She did not live to see the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment in 1920, which finally granted women the right to vote. However, her tireless efforts and unwavering commitment to the cause were instrumental in laying the groundwork for this historic achievement. The amendment was widely recognized as a tribute to Anthony's legacy and was even colloquially referred to as the Susan B. Anthony Amendment.
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Her refusal to pay the fine
Susan B. Anthony was a prominent activist and reformer who dedicated her life to social causes, including temperance, abolition, labour rights, and equal pay for women. She is best remembered as a pioneer crusader for women's suffrage in the United States and played a pivotal role in the women's rights movement.
In 1872, Anthony was arrested in Rochester, New York, for voting in an election, which at the time was illegal for women. She was tried and convicted by an all-male jury in a highly publicised trial. The judge, Justice Hunt, sentenced her to pay a fine of $100 (equivalent to $2,600 in 2024), to which she responded, "I shall never pay a dollar of your unjust penalty." True to her word, she never paid the fine.
Anthony's refusal to pay the fine was not just an act of defiance but a strategic decision. She had hoped that if the judge sentenced her to jail until the fine was paid, she could then take her case to the US Supreme Court, which could have set a significant legal precedent for women's suffrage. However, Justice Hunt did not order her to be taken into custody, deliberately closing off that legal avenue.
Despite this setback, Anthony's trial brought national attention to the women's suffrage movement and sparked widespread discussion on the issue. Her refusal to pay the fine became a symbol of her commitment to the cause and her belief that women's suffrage was a right worth fighting for.
It would take another 48 years, fourteen years after Anthony's death, for the Nineteenth Amendment to finally be ratified in 1920, granting women the right to vote. In recognition of Anthony's pivotal role in this achievement, the amendment became widely known as the Susan B. Anthony Amendment.
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Her work with the National Woman Suffrage Association
Susan B. Anthony was a prominent leader and activist in the women's suffrage movement in the United States. She was a strong advocate for temperance, abolition, labour rights, and equal pay for women. Along with Elizabeth Cady Stanton, she travelled extensively, giving numerous speeches and working on state campaigns to garner support for women's suffrage.
In 1869, Anthony, along with Stanton and others, founded the National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA). The NWSA opposed the 15th Amendment, which granted suffrage regardless of race, because it did not include gender. Anthony and Stanton argued that the amendment would create an ""aristocracy of sex" by constitutionally entrenching male superiority. Instead, they advocated for the simultaneous enfranchisement of African Americans and women.
The NWSA pursued a constitutional amendment to secure women's right to vote. Anthony played a crucial role in this endeavour, tirelessly campaigning and delivering lectures across the country. She was arrested in 1872 for voting in violation of laws restricting voting rights to men. Despite being convicted in a highly publicised trial and fined, she refused to pay the fine, stating, "I shall never pay a dollar of your unjust penalty." The trial brought significant attention to the women's suffrage movement.
In 1878, Anthony and Stanton arranged for Congress to receive an amendment granting women the right to vote, introduced by Senator Aaron A. Sargent. Although Anthony did not live to see its passage, the amendment was eventually ratified as the 19th Amendment in 1920 and became known as the Susan B. Anthony Amendment.
In 1890, the NWSA merged with the rival American Woman Suffrage Association (AWSA) to form the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA). Anthony served as its president from 1892 until her retirement in 1900. She continued to actively promote women's suffrage, speaking at conventions and congressional hearings, and working on the ""History of Woman Suffrage."
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Her legacy and the Nineteenth Amendment
Susan B. Anthony's legacy is deeply rooted in her unwavering commitment to women's suffrage and social reform. Her activism spanned nearly seven decades, during which she tirelessly advocated for women's right to vote and played a pivotal role in shaping the women's suffrage movement in the United States. Anthony's work extended beyond the suffrage movement; she was also a champion of temperance, abolition, labour rights, and equal pay for equal work.
Born in 1820, Anthony grew up in a family that valued social reform. She began her activism in the 1840s, focusing on abolitionism and gradually expanding her efforts to include women's rights. In 1851, she met fellow suffragist Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and together, they travelled extensively, delivering speeches and lobbying for women's suffrage. Anthony also worked internationally, playing a key role in establishing the International Council of Women.
One of Anthony's most notable contributions to the women's suffrage movement was her involvement in the National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA). She served as its president from 1892 to 1900. The NWSA opposed the 15th Amendment, which granted suffrage to African American men but excluded women. This stance caused a rift among suffragists, with some supporting the amendment and advocating for subsequent legislation to include women's suffrage. However, Anthony remained steadfast in her opposition, believing that women's suffrage should not be sidelined.
In 1872, Anthony took a bold stand by voting in her hometown of Rochester, New York, despite laws restricting voting to men. Her arrest and highly publicised trial brought national attention to the women's suffrage movement. Although she was convicted and fined, she refused to pay, maintaining her stance against the unjust penalty. The trial and Anthony's response to it further fuelled discussions around women's suffrage and the need for a constitutional amendment.
In 1878, Anthony and Stanton arranged for Congress to be presented with an amendment granting women the right to vote, introduced by Senator Aaron A. Sargent. This amendment later became known as the Susan B. Anthony Amendment, a testament to her pivotal role in the fight for women's suffrage. Although Anthony passed away in 1906, fourteen years before the amendment's passage, her efforts were not in vain. The Nineteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was finally ratified in 1920, ensuring that the right to vote could not be denied on account of sex.
The legacy of Susan B. Anthony is immortalised in the Nineteenth Amendment, which stands as a lasting tribute to her unwavering determination, integrity, and influence. Her tireless work empowered women and paved the way for their integral role in shaping US society for generations to come. Anthony's fight for equality and justice continues to inspire and guide the ongoing efforts to protect and expand voting rights for all.
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Frequently asked questions
Susan B. Anthony believed that the Fourteenth Amendment, which defined citizens as anyone born or naturalized in the US, should also apply to women.
In 1872, Anthony went with her sisters and several other women to vote, and after casting her ballot, she wrote, "I have been and gone and done it...positively voted...".
A few weeks later, she was arrested and tried by an all-male jury. She was convicted and fined $100, which she refused to pay.
The judge did not sentence Anthony to prison, which prevented her from appealing her case to the US Supreme Court.
Although Anthony did not live to see it, her efforts contributed to the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment in 1920, which granted women the right to vote.
