The Women’s Rights Movement in the 1920’s

Politics were something in which only men were able to participate and have a say in what happens. Since women were not persons, they could not vote. The right to vote was one of the main focuses of the Women’s Rights Movement. Women around the world wanted political equality between men and women. Women were starting to take up more active roles in the war, and also got jobs in factories to support the war, and believed in equality. There were many reasons for women wanting the right to vote. They believed that obtaining the right to vote would ensure that prohibition laws would be passed. They also wanted a reform of property laws, equal guardianship of children, new divorce laws, improved working conditions, higher wages and access to higher education for women. They also had many arguments to press their case, some stronger than others. Some simply argued on the basis of natural law, stating that everyone is equal. Others said that since women were compelled to pay property taxes, they should not have to pay taxes without representation. Some women also believed that women’s concerns should be acknowledged directly through the legislative system. Canadian provinces gave women the right to vote a few at a time. Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta were the first in 1917, followed by Ontario and British Columbia in 1918. Nova Scotia was the next in 1919, and New Brunswick was next in 1922. PEI was one of the last in 1925, but Newfoundland and Quebec were the last to follow in 1940. It took years for women to receive what they wanted, but in the end, it all paid off.

The 1920’s proved themselves to be a changing point in women’s history. The Women’s Rights Movement was the foundation of better a better life and equality for future generations of women around the world. Women have acquired a lot throughout the years, and even though they have received a great prize, there are still, to this day, men and women who believe a woman’s place is at home. There are fewer of these people as the years go on who believe women are inferior to men, but the struggle continues as it will for generations to come.