PBS Newshour Extra

A couple of years after the 1913 suffrage march, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly denied women the right to vote after a ten-hour debate on the floor. It was the last Congressional vote against women’s suffrage.

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Directions

First, read the article “Votes for Women Defeated in House by 204 to 174 votes,” then skim the rest of the articles on the page, and answer the questions in the boxes below.

“Votes for Women Defeated in House by 204 to 174 votes.” The Omaha Daily Bee. Jan. 13, 1915. Library of Congress

“Votes for Women Defeated in House by 204 to 174 votes.” The Omaha Daily Bee. Jan. 13, 1915. Woman's Journal and Suffrage News. March 8, 1913. Library of Congress

Questions

1. In addition to “Votes for Women Defeated in House by 204 to 174 votes,” what are some other headlines on the page?

2. Questions 2 to 5 apply to the article “Votes for Women Defeated in House by 204 to 174 votes.” If you had been on the House floor, what points would you have made in reaction to the lawmakers’ arguments?

3. Why did critics of the bill think the issue of suffrage should be decided by the states?

4. What was the atmosphere like on the House floor and in the galleries during debate of the bill?

5. What is your reaction to some of the language the Congressmen used to talk about women?

Campaign for Women’s Suffrage

1840s to 1920

Primary Sources

Seneca Falls

Frederick Douglass

Bold Strategies

Trial of Susan B. Anthony

Woman’s Journal

Perspective and Point of View

Challenges to Suffrage

Inside and Outside the Movement

House Rejects Suffrage Vote

Staying Focused in the Face of Defeat

"Women’s Pages"

Front Pages

Directions

Questions