Women’s Suffrage Movement of Europe
Throughout history, women have struggled for equality in all parts of the world. European women fought for suffrage for an extremely long period of time before they were granted full voting rights. Each country approved women’s suffrage at different times, but it occurred in most European countries in the early 20th century. The first country to develop universal suffrage was Finland in the year 1906(“Women’s Suffrage in Europe”). One of the last countries to become open about women’s voting rights was Switzerland, who didn’t grant women suffrage until 1971(“Women’s Suffrage in Europe”). One of the main reasons why women desired the right to vote was because they wanted to be able to vote for new laws that would eliminate their social inequalities. (Women’s Politics: The Feminist Movement"). The women’s suffrage movement in Europe caused many social, political, and religious changes to occur.
Prior to the women’s suffrage movement, many people were hesitant in supporting feminist causes. Some people simply did not think that the women’s suffrage movement was as important as other issues, such as national unity. Others did not agree with the extreme measures that some women were taking in order to fight for their right to vote (The Western Heritage). In the beginning of the movement, women were not always united in their efforts due to disagreements about strategy. However, as more women began to realize that they wanted equality, they began to work together to fight for women’s suffrage. The movements that existed very early in the 20th century in countries such as Finland, Norway, and Denmark caused social changes in other regions in Europe. Their efforts for reform influenced many women in other countries to strive for equality. In time, the suffrage movement caused social changes all over Europe.
After a country had granted women the right to vote, women were able to become more involved politically. In some countries, along with the right to vote,
Prior to the women’s suffrage movement, many people were hesitant in supporting feminist causes. Some people simply did not think that the women’s suffrage movement was as important as other issues, such as national unity. Others did not agree with the extreme measures that some women were taking in order to fight for their right to vote (The Western Heritage). In the beginning of the movement, women were not always united in their efforts due to disagreements about strategy. However, as more women began to realize that they wanted equality, they began to work together to fight for women’s suffrage. The movements that existed very early in the 20th century in countries such as Finland, Norway, and Denmark caused social changes in other regions in Europe. Their efforts for reform influenced many women in other countries to strive for equality. In time, the suffrage movement caused social changes all over Europe.
After a country had granted women the right to vote, women were able to become more involved politically. In some countries, along with the right to vote,
Cited: Chevalier, Tracy. "The Women 's Suffrage Movement." Tracy Chevalier. 2 Jan. 2007 <http://www.tchevalier.com/fallingangels/bckgrnd/suffrage/> Knight, Kevin. "The Catholic Encyclopedia." New Advent. 6 Jan. 2007<http://www. newadvent.org/cathen/index.html> "Women’s Politics: The Feminist Movement." Women on the History of Europe. 4 Jan. 2007 <http://www.helsinki.fi/science/xantippa/wee/weetext/wee214.html>. "Women 's Suffrage." Wikipedia. 5 Jan. 2007. 5 Jan. 2007 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Women%27s_suffrage#Timeline_of_women.27s_suffrage_by_country> "Women 's Suffrage in Europe." Women 's History. The New York Times Company. 3 Jan. 2007 <http://womenshistory.about.com/library/etext/bl1911_womenv.htm>.