Feminist Thought
Liberalism in First Wave
Feminism in the US
ECS with Susan B Anthony
Modeled on the Declaration of Independence
Adding women to text
We
hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men and women are created equal;
that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that
among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; that to secure
these rights governments are instituted, deriving their just powers from the consent
of the governed. Whenever any from
of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of those who
suffer from it to refuse allegiance to it, and to insist upon the institution
of a new government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing
its power in such form, as to them shall effect their safety and happinessÉ.
and on through the section on absolute despotism
Then lists the wrongs man has
inflicted women – the repeated injuries and usurpations
Denied her inalienable right to the
franchise
Forced her to submit to laws in the
formation of which she had no voice
Deprived her of representation
If married, she is civilly dead
Taken from her all right to property, even
the wages she earns
Made her a morally irresponsible being (can commit
crimes in the presence of her husband)
Compelled to obey their husbands
Denied access to all professions
Denied
the ability to speak in public (called indelicate, unless men are paying to see
them perform on stage or in a circus!!)
Precept: That man shall pursue his own true and
substantial happiness (Blackstone)
That God had ordained this
Therefore,
Resolved, that women shall
not obey laws contrary to natural law of equality
ÒThat the equality of human
rights results necessarily from the fact of the identity of the race in
capabilities and responsibilitiesÓ (73)
From
Locke
Right
to rebel, disobey the laws that are unjust
i.e.,
laws that deny women their natural rights