Taking a Stand: Woman Suffrage and Protest at the White House High School
Post-Field Trip Activity
Description
Students will examine what rights, in addition to suffrage, women called for in The Declaration of Sentiments at the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848. Students will use the information they learned during the electronic field trip and document analysis skills.
Time
Homework or 1 hour
Objective
Students will examine The Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions and use the information they learned during the electronic field trip to understand the rights women were calling for at the 1848 Seneca Falls Convention.
Materials
- Copy of The Declaration of Sentiments (printable PDF)
Procedures
- Starter/Hook: On the board, write “What rights did the Constitution grant women in the early 19th century?” to initiate a discussion. Have students list what rights they believe women had during the time period. After the discussion, pass out copies of the Declaration of Sentiments.
- Direct Instruction:
- Assign or allow students to pick a resolution from the Declaration of Sentiments. Have each student write an essay on why women called for the resolution. Students should include if women are still calling for the resolution today.
- Use the NWHM’s “Crusade for the Vote” to provide background information:
http://www.crusadeforthevote.org/early-republic
http://www.crusadeforthevote.org/abolition
http://www.crusadeforthevote.org/seneca-falls-meeting
- Guided Practice:
- Divide students into groups and assign a resolution.
- Have students send a representative from each group to explain why women were calling for the resolution. Discuss as a class.