How did suffragists' efforts at the state level affect their efforts to win the right to vote at the national level ?

Efforts by suffragists at the state level played a crucial role in the broader campaign to win the right to vote at the national level for women. Here's how state-level efforts contributed to the national suffrage movement:

1. Incremental Progress:

  - Suffragists pursued a state-by-state strategy, working to secure voting rights for women in individual states. By achieving success at the state level, they demonstrated the feasibility and positive outcomes of women's suffrage.

2. Demonstration of Viability:

  - States that granted women the right to vote became living examples of the viability and success of women participating in the electoral process. This provided tangible evidence that women's suffrage could work and that it did not lead to the social disruptions opponents often claimed.

3. Strategic Momentum:

  - State-level victories created momentum for the national movement. Success in one state encouraged suffragists in other states to intensify their efforts, creating a snowball effect that contributed to the overall strength of the suffrage movement.

4. Legal Precedents:

  - State-level successes established legal precedents and arguments that could be used in broader national campaigns. Legal victories and legislative achievements at the state level helped build a foundation for legal strategies at the federal level.

5. Public Awareness and Support:

  - Successful state-level campaigns raised awareness among the general public about the suffrage cause. As more states embraced women's suffrage, public opinion gradually shifted in favor of the movement, making it more difficult for opponents to resist at the national level.

6. Pressure on Congress:

  - State-level successes increased pressure on the U.S. Congress to address the issue of women's suffrage at the national level. As more states granted women the right to vote, it became increasingly untenable for federal lawmakers to ignore the growing demand for suffrage rights.

Ultimately, the combination of state-level successes and the tireless efforts of suffragists at the national level contributed to the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920, granting women the right to vote across the United States.