During Wednesday's online class, we'll be discussing some important documents from the history of American Feminism in groups. In preparation, please choose one of the following documents; be sure to

IH 2: The Common Good, Prof. Leonard Name:

Reading Worksheet: Documents in the American Feminist Movement

This worksheet (= 3 points) + annotation (2 points) = 5 points

Olympe de Gouges, along with her contemporary, Mary Wollstonecraft, launched a conversation about what became known as the “Woman Question”—the legal, economic and social status of women. As we have seen by reading the “Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions,” this debate was continued in the 19th century. In the late 1960s, a new wave of feminist thought arose, inspired by the civil rights movement, the rise of an anti-establishment counter-culture, gay rights, and other expressions of discontent with American society and politics: protests against the Vietnam War, Black Power, Marxist-inspired revolutionary groups, etc.

1. At home: You have been given a choice to join one of four groups, each devoted to a short document—please see Canvas for more details. Each of these documents represents an important entry into the American conversation on the “Woman Question” in more modern times. Each of these documents discusses ideas that have truly changed the way Americans thought and argued about women’s issues. Read and annotate your document carefully. Then, write down notes to the following questions in preparation for class discussion.

2. In-class: you will discuss your responses to these questions together, comparing and combining them to choose the ideas that you, as a group, agree are the strongest and most important. Someone in your group should take notes on the conversation, and at the end of class, you will hand in a conversation log.

Questions

Title of your document:

Date of Document:

How long ago it was written (in years):

How long after Wollstonecraft’s book:

Arguments similar to those found in Wollstonecraft’s The Vindication of the Rights of Woman. (If relevant, you might also wish to compare your document to the Declaration of the Rights of Woman and/or The Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions):

Arguments that are new (not in these earlier writings):

Arguments that Wollstonecraft may have disagreed with or rejected:

What do you think of this document? Why do you think it was important or popular when it was published? Are the arguments still relevant today?