How to Study Women's Suffrage

Women's suffrage movements began in the early 1800s with the goal of changing laws so that women could vote. Although a few countries continue to deny women this right, most countries have passed women's suffrage laws within the last two hundred years. You can learn more about women's suffrage by examining the different sources on the topic.

Instructions

1. Visit the Library of Congress to see primary source material from the women's suffrage movement in the United States. View photos of suffragists, newspaper articles and cartoons about the movement in addition to other materials. Other archives around the world can offer similar materials for women's suffrage.

2. Read materials written by women suffragists. For example, try Elizabeth Cady Stanton's autobiography or editorials by Susan B. Anthony. In many countries, suffragists gave speeches, wrote books and authored other materials.

3. Search online for more information on suffragists from around the world. The Library of Congress site has some materials and other websites give information about specific women in the movement and timelines of events in various countries.

4. Take a class on women's history. You may want to talk to the instructor to be sure that information about this topic will be included, but most classes will cover at least some information on suffragists. You may also be able to find a class specifically about this topic at some universities.

5. Watch education programs about the women's suffrage movement. Watch TV listings for programs or rent a DVD that features this topic. Look for programs that deal with biographies of suffragists or those that cover the overall topics. Sources like the History Channel and PBS are good places to begin looking.

6. Check out books on women's suffrage from local libraries or buy a few books on the topic. Many libraries include biographies and autobiographies about individuals involved in these movements. You can also find general overviews about the topic and the time period.

Resources

• Learn about suffragists.
• Study women's suffrage at the Library of Congress.