The Declaration of Sentiments

The Declaration of Sentiments was drafted in the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848. The
convention was held in New York by the two most famous figures in womans rights movement.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott stressed the importance of how women were not seen
as equals to their counterparts. For example as its stated, 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. In this document, the
authors mimic the writing style of the Declaration of Independence but with changes to the text.
The authors state that white men believe that they have some sort of superiority over women not
by nature or God. This is the main point in which they derive their other issues. The topic of
property and lack of voting also are written in this document, which were major key points that
were also in favor of white males in the Declaration of Independence. During this time, women
were oppressed and objectified by men because of their gender. Feeling this kind of inferiority is
another reason Stanton and Mott also wanted to abolish slavery.
The authors of this Declaration paralleled it to the Declaration of Independence in order
to show that their rights are just as equal to men. They view their current government as unfair to
women. As it states, 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. Women were
suffering and were unhappy, all the laws pointed in favor of men and they didnt feel safe. They
wanted to abolish this sort of patriarchal government. In the Declaration of Independence, one of
the key focus points is that if the government is being unlawful then it must be dissolved. The
authors of this declaration used that notion to express their need for equality. In addition, the
authors state that, The history of mankind is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations on
the part of man toward woman, having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny
over her. They point out how the institution of marriage, voting in legislation, property rights,
and more favor men. the major demand of women was to be equal in all grounds with men. The
Seneca Falls Convention would also lead to the womens suffrage movement. Aside from
equality, they wanted their voices to be heard. Some people would reject and actively fight
against this document, because they were scared of change. White males were in power for most
of the history of the United States. Land-owning white males voted in their legislations and
owned slaves. Women were shut out of everything, because the choices made by their husbands
were ultimately their choice as well. Men didnt want to share their power in anyway.
The author of this document is Elizabeth Cady Stanton, a key figure in the womens
rights movement. This is a declaratory document that is very similar to the Declaration of
Independence. The message of this source is to resolve the issues regarding the inequality of
women versus men. The author explains how men have undermined the overall role of women in
society. The intended audience is everyone in the United States and more specifically lawmakers
that could change things. Stanton wanted to grab the nations attention on the issue of womens
rights. This declaration was written in order for there be equality between men and women. This
source is credible, because the declaration is in fact throughout all history books and Elizabeth

Stanton is a key historical figure. This source is valuable to me, because it shows how far women
have come since 1848. Now we have women who are senators and governors, and even some
who are running for president.