Declaration of Sentiments

Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Historical Background
American men claim to believe in equality but treat the women in
their lives as if they are not fully citizens.
When women married, their property and their children belonged to
their husbands.
They could not vote, serve on juries, or enter many professions.
The Declaration of Sentiments Background
The Declaration of Sentiments was presented at the two day Seneca
Falls Convention in 1848.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott first discussed the
convention while at the World Anti-Slavery Convention in London in
1840.
Both women were active abolitionists, but were denied the right to
participate in the convention because of their gender.
Although the declaration was the start of the womens suffrage
movement, it did not gain historical recognition until the 19th
Amendment in 1920.
First Read Annotations: Declaration of Sentiments

Underline sentences relating to Stantons purpose

Star the most powerful grievances
Box unknown words
 First Read: Declaration of Sentiments
1. Identify Stantons purpose for writing this document.
Stantons purpose for writing the Declaration of Sentiments is to...
2. Identify the major claims that Stanton makes in support of her purpose.
One of the claims that Stanton makes in the document is that
Another of her claims is...
3. Identify one rhetorical strategy that Stanton uses to support her claims.
What is the effect on her audience?
One example of the type evidence Stanton uses is ___________ when
she states, ______________________________ (#).
This affects the reader by...
 Declaration vs. Declaration
In groups, review the Declaration of Independence (page 112 in your
textbook) and compare and contrast the ideas that Jefferson is presenting
with the ones that Stanton is presenting in her Declaration of Sentiments.
Using a double bubble map, organize your ideas and be prepared to share
them with the rest of the class.
 Compare and Contrast
The Declaration of Independence
When in the Course of human events it becomes
necessary for one people to dissolve the political
bands which have connected them with another and
to assume among the powers of the earth, the
separate and equal station to which the Laws of
Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent
respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they
should declare the causes which impel them to the
separation.
The Declaration of Sentiments
When, in the course of human events, it becomes
necessary for one portion of the family of man to
assume among the people of the earth a position
different from that which they have hitherto
occupied, but one to which the laws of nature and of
nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the
opinions of mankind requires that they should declare
the causes that impel them to such a course.
 Compare and Contrast
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men
are created equal, that they are endowed by their
Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among
these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
That to secure these rights, Governments are
instituted among Men, deriving their just powers
from the consent of the governed, That whenever
any Form of Government becomes destructive of
these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to
abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its
foundation on such principles and organizing its
powers in such form, as to them shall seem most
likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men
and women are created equal; that they are endowed
by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that
among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of
happiness; that to secure these rights governments are
instituted, deriving their just powers from the consent
of the governed. Whenever any form of Government
becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of
those who suffer from it to refuse allegiance to it, and
to insist upon the institution of a new government,
laying its foundation on such principles, and
organizing its powers in such form as to them shall
seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.
 Compare and Contrast
He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most
He has never permitted her to exercise her
wholesome and necessary for the public good.
inalienable right to the elective franchise.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of
He has compelled her to submit to laws, in the
immediate and pressing importance, unless
formation of which she had no voice.
suspended in their operation till his Assent should be
obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly He has withheld from her rights which are given to
neglected to attend to them. the most ignorant and degraded menboth natives
He has refused to pass other Laws for the and foreigners.
accommodation of large districts of people, unless
those people would relinquish the right of
Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable
to them and formidable to tyrants only.
Modern Day Declaration
With your group, choose one of the following marginalized groups to write your own
declaration that airs your grievances:
Modern LGBTQ Minorities The Poor
Women Veterans Immigrants

Make sure to emulate the style that Stanton and Jefferson utilize including an
introduction, listing out at least 4-6 grievances, ending with your marginalized
groups next steps. Also, use parallelism and make your best attempt at emulating
the language of the writing.

This will be due at the end of class. Be prepared to present.