LAD #11 - Seneca Falls Declaration

The Seneca Falls Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions is modeled after the Declaration of Independence in the sense that it is a group of people standing up for their unalienable rights. In fact, it houses the first paragraph of the Declaration of Independence in its Declaration of Sentiments. It brings up many of the same ideas talked about in the Declaration of Independence, but ties them into the equality of men and women. It states a number of grievances that have occurred, alienating the so-called unalienable rights of mankind, which includes women. These grievances include the lack of the right to vote or partake in the legislative process, the hindering effect that marriage has on them, their inability to own private property, their overall submissive nature to men, the unfairness of divorce laws, their inability to gain high-paying professions, the inequality in education, and not being allowed to partake in the actions of the Church. It goes on to talk about how these grievances can be resolved, basically equalizing men and women in society. These resolutions include the ability women have to address the public without ridicule, equality of women in government and in regard to men, the idea that women themselves can move forward as designated by God, ending the obedient degradation of women in favor of progressive fighting, the moral authority of women, that men should be just as moral in government as women already are, women's suffrage, and the combined efforts of men and women to end the patrimonial society that they live in. The effects of this Declaration were immense, setting the stage for the work towards women's suffrage and equality in future.