Introduction
The Electronic New Jersey Women's Suffrage module uses primary source documents to illustrate how women in New Jersey lost and eventually regained the right to vote. Analysis of primary source material such as: government documents, posters, music, photographs, letters, and political cartoons, is the focal point of the site.
- Introductory Activity
Through analysis of primary source documents students will learn how women were excluded from voting in New Jersey.
- Central Questions
- Opposition/Support
Why would a man be in favor of women's suffrage? Why would a woman be opposed to women's suffrage?
- Privilege or Duty
- Is voting a privilege or a duty?
- Exploitation Possibilities
- If you can't vote can people exploit you?
- Competency Issues Why were women considered incompetent to vote yet competent to raise children?
- Voting & Status If a woman votes does it make her more or less a woman?
- 19th Amendment What does the 19th amendment say?
- Culminating Activity
Through an interactive simulation role play, students will analyze both historic and contemporary issues related to the roles of women in society and the struggle for women's suffrage and social equality.
- Opposition/Support
- Through analysis of primary source documents students will address the following questions:
"Thomas Jefferson had proclaimed in 1776 that equality would be the bedrock of a new American government. But it took 144 years for women finally to achieve full citizenship in the United States..."
Unless otherwise specified, all documentary and photograph sources used in this section of Electronic New Jersey were provided courtesy of the Rutgers University Special Collections and University Archives, the NJ State Archives, and/or the NJ Historical Society