Answer: D. Declaration of Sentiments
The Declaration of Sentiments was put forth in 1848, signed by 68 women and 32 men who had been among the participants in the first women's rights convention to be held in the United States that was organized by women. Elizabeth Cady Stanton was a key organizer and the lead author of the Declaration. The document was modeled after Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of Independence. In the way that Jefferson had listed grievances against the British monarchy, the Declaration of Sentiments listed grievances against how man had oppressed woman in regard to civil rights. Here's a small sample of some of the "sentiments" which were expressed:
The history of mankind is a history of repeated injuries and usurpation on the part of man toward woman, having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over her. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world:
- He has not ever permitted her to exercise her inalienable right to the elective franchise.
- He has compelled her to submit to laws, in the formation of which she had no voice.
- He has withheld her from rights which are given to the most ignorant and degraded men—both natives and foreigners.
- Having deprived her of this first right as a citizen, the elective franchise, thereby leaving her without representation in the halls of legislation, he has oppressed her on all sides.
