Given the role that initiatives and referenda have played in state and local governance, it is interesting that there has never been a national initiative or referendum in the United States. The reason for this is that the Constitution of the United States does not provide for direct citizen initiation of, or direct popular votes on, either…

The meaning of the Constitution is reflected in its preamble, which lists the reasons for framing the Constitution; but, in turn, the rights of the people are either not mentioned or relegated to some tangential concern. The first three articles of the Constitution reveal that "we the people" is determined by the states as well as the crucial…

Maintains that the expansion of voting rights to African Americans and women is an appropriate topic for Social Studies courses. Discusses suffrage in New York state between 1848 and 1920. Includes a table depicting the women's suffrage campaign in New York state and a list of other resources on the topic. (CFR)

Provides a chronological overview of the struggle for women's suffrage in the United States. Describes the role of individual women and women's organizations in the struggle. Includes primary sources, teacher resources, and a political cartoon. (CFR)

Describes the work of Alice Paul in her 49-year struggle to pass the Equal Rights Amendment. Discusses the differences between her proposed language for the amendment, drafted in 1922, and what she considered the flawed language of the amendment that passed Congress in 1972. Includes a legislative chronology for the Equal Rights Amendment. (CFR)

Presents a chronology of important dates and events in the struggle for women's rights and women's suffrage. Begins in 1648 with the first call for women's suffrage in Maryland and concludes in 1920 with the passage of the 19th Amendment by Tennessee. (CFR)

Maintains that between 1848 and 1920 when the 19th Amendment was ratified, women repeatedly petitioned both state and federal governments for the right to vote. Presents a lesson plan on a women's suffrage petition submitted to Congress in 1869. Includes the background of the petition, the petition's text, and suggested teaching activities. (CFR)

Maintains that, even though women leaders have been added to the secondary-school social studies curriculum, the differences among them in style, personality, and tactics have not been included. Compares and contrasts the background and social action methods of Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. (CFR)

Maintains that, while women and African Americans have often had common political interests, the alliance of their movements has not always been easy. Discusses the competing interests and racism that caused friction and estrangement among these groups between 1848-1920. Includes primary source selections. (CFR)

Maintains that during the early 20th century the work of women teacher activists brought issues of social reform to the forefront. Describes the work of five Chicago women who helped advance women's rights, women's suffrage, and other social reform efforts. Contends that their work has not be adequately recognized. (CFR)

Presents a secondary school lesson based on the Seneca Falls Declaration of Sentiments. Provides lesson objectives and step-by-step instructional procedures. Includes quoted sections of the Declaration of Sentiments. (CFR)

Discusses the resources available from the ERIC System on issues related to women's suffrage and women's rights. Includes an annotated bibliography of six resources, including lesson plans and historiography reviews. (CFR)

Maintains that, although many suffrage supporters anticipated a new political age after passage of the 19th Amendment, women have begun to realize their electoral potential only in recent years. Describes the role of women in politics and political opinion from the 1920s to the present. (CFR)

Presents an elementary school lesson designed to help students compare modern times with the times of the suffrage movement. Includes an introduction and instructional procedures. Provides excerpts of students' writing from previously completed assignments. (CFR)

Provides a bibliography on women's history related to the struggle for women's voting rights and the 19th Amendment. Includes 39 books and 8 videotapes. (CFR)