Suffrage Photograph Analysis

This activity can be used during a unit on the suffrage movement, civic action, or the progressive era. It can serve as an introduction to some of the methods used by suffragists to enact social change. It also serves to teach or reinforce the process of document (photograph) analysis. For grades 2-6. Approximate time needed is 20 minutes.

Present the activity to the entire class. Direct students to begin the activity individually or in pairs. They should spend a minute or two looking at the photograph unassisted.

Then they should proceed to answer the questions that follow, which will guide them through the process of document (photograph) analysis:

• Meet the document.
• Observe its parts.
• Try to make sense of it.
• Use it as historical evidence.

If necessary, check in with your students at each step in the process and model analysis if required.

After students have analyzed the photograph, share the following contextual information from the full document detail page.

Frustrated with President Woodrow Wilson’s inaction on woman suffrage, the National Women’s Party (NWP) began picketing in front of the White House to press for voting rights for women; they were the first political activists to do so.

 

This photograph of “Silent Sentinel” Alison Turnbull Hopkins outside the White House poses the central question of the matter. Her banner reads: “Mr. President How Long Must Women Wait for Liberty.”

 

The NWP began peacefully protesting six days a week in January 1917, but encountered hostile crowds after the United States entered World War I in April. Dozens of women were arrested, many of whom were jailed and force-fed. The resulting publicity and public outcry over their treatment is often credited with compelling President Woodrow Wilson to support woman suffrage.

 

The protesters demonstrated for nearly 30 months until Congress passed a joint resolution proposing a 19th amendment on June 4, 1919.

Ask students how this information changes their understanding of the photograph. Discuss.

Direct students to the “When You’re Done” tab and ask them to answer the question in the box and submit their response.