Women Movement In The 1920's

America has a history of suppressing the rights and progress of minorities. The unknown scares America into hiding what it cannot control and showcases what it has a handle on without opposition. In early America, the lack of support for women, African-Americans, and other immigrants grew into a national attitude towards these groups. For example, women were not viewed as equals amongst men, blacks were not even considered human amongst white people until the 1900's and immigrants of non-Caucasian races abandoned their identities to fit the American mold they were forced to fill even though the treatment they received broke their physical, mental and emotional state. Prejudice in early America forced our country to recognize its faults and
Women, back before the new women movement of the 1920’s, accepted their role as simply wives and mothers. They stayed in the house and kept the home in order. Women did not attend college, speak out of political issues regarding what they wanted to see change and were not seen as capable of being equal to men. As the times progressed, women saw the progressive movements of the 1890’s take place and decided to take action. Their main concern centered on women’s issues like women’s suffrage and breaking the stereotype of what women should emulate. First, women needed to tackle their issue with voting rights. The two big names in the women’s suffrage movement were Elizabeth Stanton and Susan B. Anthony. They formed the NAWSA and fought for and won many other pressing women’s issues. Their efforts reaped the fruit of their hard work and ability to create a coalition of women fighting for the same issue. In 1869, Wyoming gave women the opportunity to vote in national elections. During the historical moment, Governor Hoyt stated that this milestone was giving women the weapon they need to fight their own battle. This quote from the governor encompassed the goal of the women’s suffrage movement which was not to be like men but to be able to fight for themselves like men do. The victory in Wyoming gave the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) the momentum they needed to pursue suffrage.
This period of time was called the Global Migration. People flooded immigration stations on the east and west cost to have a chance at a better life in America. However, Americans felt threatened since they did not speak their language, understand their culture and thought they took all the jobs. With the outcry for the American government to address the growing number of people in America cities, immigration restrictions were put into place. Frankly, these restrictions were enacted out of good faith but as a way “protect” the American lifestyle. The most blatant form of discrimination towards one race since slavery was the Chinese Exclusion Act. The act banned Chinese immigrants from American soil. The journal Closing the Gate recognizes that three factors came into play with this act: the workers in America, politicians and the people of California. The factors along with the racist atmosphere that still lingered in the 1900’s made for the recipe that allowed this act to be passed. As a result of the Chinese Exclusion Act, immigration facilities open on the west coast and east coast, Angel Island and Ellis Island respectively. This allowed U.S. officials to reject anyone without a reason. The facilities were horrid and the immigrants treated like scum. Even though the immigrants were taking the dangerous and minimal jobs, Americans still resented them and wanted them to