On 19 September 1893 New Zealand became the first state in the world, which granted women the vote . At this time Kate Sheppard, who was of great importance for the feminist movement, perceived the feelings of women in New Zealand as follows: “The General Elections have come and gone. For the first time the women of New Zealand have joined with men in choosing members of Parliament, and we have waited with bated breath for the deluge of calamities which it was prognosticated would follow the admission of women into the political arena.” Although this step seemed to be revolutionary and sudden considering the restricted political rights of women in many other countries, the development of the women’s suffrage movement in New Zealand was without violence and the outcome of a long historical process.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- The Women's Suffrage Movement in New Zealand
- Early Influences and Beginnings
- The Rise of the Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU)
- The Franchise Leagues and the Fight for Suffrage
- The Vote is Granted: 1893
- Consequences and the Impact of the Suffrage Movement
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This text explores the historical development of the women's suffrage movement in New Zealand, culminating in the country becoming the first in the world to grant women the vote in 1893. The author analyzes the factors that contributed to this landmark achievement, highlighting the influence of international movements, the key role of women's organizations, and the ongoing struggles faced by women in the pursuit of equality.
- The influence of suffrage movements in Great Britain and the United States.
- The role of women's organizations, particularly the Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU).
- The political and social context surrounding the suffrage movement in New Zealand.
- The strategies and challenges faced by women in their fight for the vote.
- The long-term impact of the suffrage movement on the lives of women in New Zealand.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- The Women's Suffrage Movement in New Zealand: This chapter introduces the topic of women's suffrage in New Zealand, highlighting the country's groundbreaking achievement in 1893. It sets the stage for exploring the historical context and factors that led to this milestone.
- Early Influences and Beginnings: This chapter delves into the origins of the suffrage movement in New Zealand, tracing its roots to earlier movements in Great Britain and the United States. It examines the impact of key figures such as Mary Wollstonecraft and John Stuart Mill, whose writings advocated for women's rights and education.
- The Rise of the Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU): This chapter focuses on the significant role of the WCTU in the New Zealand suffrage movement. It discusses the organization's aims, strategies, and influence in mobilizing women and advocating for social reforms, including women's enfranchisement.
- The Franchise Leagues and the Fight for Suffrage: This chapter examines the emergence of women's suffrage leagues in New Zealand, their collaboration with the WCTU, and their efforts to garner public support for women's voting rights. It also explores the challenges they faced from opponents of the movement, including the liquor industry and some members of Parliament.
- The Vote is Granted: 1893: This chapter details the final stages of the suffrage campaign, culminating in the passage of the Women's Suffrage Bill in 1893. It describes the strategies employed by both supporters and opponents, the crucial role of key politicians, and the significance of the women's petition that gathered thousands of signatures.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Key keywords and focus topics of the text include: women's suffrage, New Zealand, Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU), franchise leagues, political activism, social reforms, gender equality, political participation, historical context, international influences, and the impact of the suffrage movement on women's lives.
- Quote paper
- Anne-Mareike Franz (Author), 2006, The women’s suffrage movement in New Zealand, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/82857
