Nawsa vs. Nwp

Attribute	Nawsa	Nwp
Year Founded	1890	1913
Primary Goal	Women's suffrage through peaceful means	Women's suffrage through militant tactics
Leaders	Susan B. Anthony, Carrie Chapman Catt	Alice Paul, Lucy Burns
Membership	Large and diverse membership	Smaller, more radical membership
Key Strategies	Lobbying, public speaking, organizing parades and protests	Hunger strikes, picketing, civil disobedience
Relationship with Political Parties	Non-partisan, worked with both major parties	Initially non-partisan, later aligned with the Republican Party
Role in 19th Amendment	Instrumental in its passage	Played a significant role in its ratification

Introduction

The National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) and the National Woman's Party (NWP) were two prominent organizations that played significant roles in the women's suffrage movement in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. While both organizations shared the common goal of achieving women's suffrage, they differed in their approaches, strategies, and priorities. This article aims to compare the attributes of NAWSA and NWP, highlighting their similarities and differences.

Historical Background

NAWSA was founded in 1890 and was initially known as the National American Woman Suffrage Association. It was formed by the merger of two suffrage organizations, the National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA) and the American Woman Suffrage Association (AWSA). NAWSA aimed to secure women's suffrage through state-by-state legislative efforts and constitutional amendments. On the other hand, the NWP was founded in 1913 by Alice Paul and Lucy Burns. It was a more radical and militant organization that focused on direct action and civil disobedience to achieve suffrage.

Approach and Strategies

NAWSA adopted a more moderate and conservative approach towards suffrage. It believed in working within the existing political system and sought to gain support from politicians and lawmakers. NAWSA's strategies included lobbying, organizing peaceful protests, and using traditional political channels to advocate for women's suffrage. The organization believed in building alliances and coalitions with other reform movements to strengthen their cause.

On the other hand, the NWP took a more confrontational and radical approach. It believed in using civil disobedience and direct action to draw attention to the cause of suffrage. The NWP organized protests, pickets, and hunger strikes, often resulting in arrests and imprisonment of its members. Their tactics were aimed at disrupting the status quo and forcing the government to address the issue of women's suffrage more urgently.

Leadership and Membership

NAWSA was led by prominent suffragists such as Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Carrie Chapman Catt. These leaders were experienced in the suffrage movement and had been advocating for women's rights for many years. NAWSA had a large and diverse membership base, including women from various social, economic, and racial backgrounds. The organization aimed to appeal to a broad range of women and gain support from both political parties.

The NWP, on the other hand, was led by Alice Paul and Lucy Burns, who were younger and more radical suffragists. They brought a fresh perspective to the movement and introduced more militant tactics. The NWP had a smaller but highly dedicated membership, consisting of women who were willing to take bold actions and face the consequences. The organization attracted younger women who were frustrated with the slow progress of NAWSA and sought more immediate and radical change.

Impact and Legacy

NAWSA's state-by-state approach and its focus on building alliances proved to be successful in the long run. The organization played a crucial role in securing women's suffrage with the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1920. NAWSA's legacy extends beyond suffrage, as it continued to work for women's rights and social reforms even after achieving its primary goal.

The NWP's confrontational tactics and direct action had a significant impact on the suffrage movement. Their protests and pickets attracted media attention and brought the issue of women's suffrage into the national spotlight. The NWP's members faced harsh treatment, including force-feeding during hunger strikes, which further highlighted the urgency of the suffrage cause. While the NWP's direct actions did not directly lead to the passage of the 19th Amendment, they played a crucial role in raising awareness and pressuring the government to act.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both NAWSA and NWP were instrumental in the women's suffrage movement, albeit with different approaches and strategies. NAWSA focused on state-by-state legislative efforts and building alliances, while the NWP employed more radical and confrontational tactics. Both organizations played crucial roles in advancing the cause of women's suffrage and paved the way for future generations of women to participate in the democratic process. Their legacies continue to inspire and remind us of the importance of fighting for equal rights and representation.