The Seneca Falls Convention was a major turning point in the women's rights movement as it was the first formal women's rights convention. Through the efforts of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott calling for the need to discuss the social, civil and religious rights of women, together they worked over the course of these two days. Three hundred people came to the Wesleyan Chapel in Seneca Falls, New York to ratify the Declaration of Sentiments. The Declaration which was based off the Declaration of Independence but giving women the rights they initially deserved. The Declaration stated that men and women are equal and should be given legal and social equality, especially the right to vote. This Declaration caused controversy throughout the country but by 1850 several similar conventions took place in Massachusetts and Ohio. The women's rights movement was in full throttle now.
long and short term affects
The Seneca Falls Convention was a big accomplishment in the Women's Rights Movement, especially in advocating for the right to vote. The convention itself was the first formal women's rights convention.
Some short term affects of the convention were that women were now allowed to speak in public. Also some states adopted laws protecting married women by allowing them to own property in their name, keep any of their earnings and retain custody of their children in the case of a divorce.
These laws protecting women showed a huge political change that was caused by the Seneca Falls Convention. Also just two weeks after the Seneca Falls Convention another women's rights convention was held in Rochester New York where Lucretia Mott also spoke and many of the convention members had also attended the Seneca Falls Convention. The long term effects of the convention were that women finally gained the right to vote and later equality with men. The Seneca Falls Convention was also a turning point in history because it set the women's rights movement into motion. The convention inspired women to see themselves as equals and ask for equality as well.
Some short term affects of the convention were that women were now allowed to speak in public. Also some states adopted laws protecting married women by allowing them to own property in their name, keep any of their earnings and retain custody of their children in the case of a divorce.
These laws protecting women showed a huge political change that was caused by the Seneca Falls Convention. Also just two weeks after the Seneca Falls Convention another women's rights convention was held in Rochester New York where Lucretia Mott also spoke and many of the convention members had also attended the Seneca Falls Convention. The long term effects of the convention were that women finally gained the right to vote and later equality with men. The Seneca Falls Convention was also a turning point in history because it set the women's rights movement into motion. The convention inspired women to see themselves as equals and ask for equality as well.
Did I not feel that the time has come for the questions of women's wrongs to be laid before the public? Did I not believe that women herself must do this work, for women alone understand the height, the depth, the breadth of her degradation.
~Elizabeth Cady Stanton Seneca Falls Convention 1848
For information on The Declaration of Sentiments click here