In 1872, Susan B. Anthony advanced women's suffrage by casting an illegal vote. She also wrote a book on women's rights, supported the Democratic presidential candidate, and delivered a speech at a women's rights convention in Seneca Falls.

History · High School · Thu Feb 04 2021

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In 1872, Susan B. Anthony did indeed make a significant contribution to the women's suffrage movement by casting what was then considered an illegal vote. She believed strongly in women's right to vote and, by deliberately voting in the presidential election of 1872, she set in motion a series of events that brought national attention to the issue. Subsequently, Anthony was arrested for this act of civil disobedience. However, Susan B. Anthony did not write a book on women's rights; instead, she collaborated with Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Matilda Joslyn Gage, and Ida Husted Harper on the "History of Woman Suffrage." Also, the convention you are referring to was held in 1848, and Susan B. Anthony did not participate in it, as she did not become active in the suffrage movement until the early 1850s. It’s worth noting that during her lifetime, Anthony did not support any particular political party but rather advocated for women's rights across the political spectrum.

Extra: Susan B. Anthony was a central figure in the women's suffrage movement in the United States. Born in 1820, she was a social reformer and feminist who tirelessly campaigned for women's rights, particularly the right to vote. The movement she helped lead is known as the "first-wave" of feminism, which fought for basic legal rights for women that were previously denied, such as property rights, parental and custody rights, employment and educational rights, and the right to vote (suffrage).

Susan B. Anthony was not only involved in the suffrage movement but was also a strong advocate for the abolition of slavery and for labor rights. Her partnership with Elizabeth Cady Stanton was instrumental in pushing forward the women's rights agenda. Together, they founded the National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA) in 1869.

The Seneca Falls Convention, mentioned in your statement, was the first women's rights convention in the United States, which took place in 1848. It's where the "Declaration of Sentiments," a document declaring men and women to be equal, was signed, which laid the groundwork for women's suffrage. Leaders like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott played significant roles in this convention.

It wasn't until 1920 that the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, granting American women the right to vote. This legal victory came several years after Susan B. Anthony's death in 1906, but her contributions and relentless efforts were key to achieving this milestone in women's rights history. Her legacy is reflected in the Susan B. Anthony Amendment, which is how the 19th Amendment is sometimes referred to in her honor.