“The Age of Brass: Or the Triumphs of Woman's Rights,” Lithograph, 1869

As women participated in the movement to abolish slavery during the first half of the 19th century, some of them also began to advocate for women's rights. In July 1848, a group of women and men held a convention in Seneca Falls, New York. They signed a "Declaration of Sentiments," drafted by Elizabeth Cady Stanton, which called for women's equality and the right to vote, also known as suffrage.

As the woman suffrage movement gained more support throughout the country, it also raised public scrutiny. Many people, including some women, questioned how women would be able to complete their domestic duties if they were active outside the "domestic sphere." Others believed that women were inherently more moral than men because they were untainted by "public life" and politics. Some women feared the loss of what they called "moral suasion," or their ability to use their status as guardians of morality to influence men.

This false dichotomy of a "private" sphere for women and a "public" sphere for men was a familiar theme in nineteenth century literature and other writing, although it did not reflect the realities of women's work. Still, many men feared that their own status could change dramatically if women successfully challenged the idea of private and public spheres and gained political equality. It is important to note that these stereotypes applied only to middle-class white women, and were based mainly on media images and did not reflect the lived experience of most American women.

The fears expressed by many antisuffragists illustrated the political reality American women had faced for centuries. Since the colonial period, women had been legally classified as dependents under the power of their husbands or fathers. Only single or widowed women had power to control their own property and enter into contracts in many states. In Virginia, for example, married women had no right to manage property that they owned until 1877.

Political cartoons have often been used to express opinions and concerns. They are often satirical, using humor, exaggeration, irony, and ridicule to persuade a reader to think about current events from a particular point of view. In this Currier and Ives cartoon published in 1869, "Age of Brass: Or the Triumphs of Woman's Rights," the cartoonist depicted a scene showing the subversion of gender expectations, with women voting and men performing childcare. One woman is wearing bloomers, which some women's rights advocates supported as a fashion reform, as they were less restrictive than the dresses of the period. Many considered bloomers scandalous--as scandalous as the idea of respectable women smoking, which is also depicted here. Ultimately, it would take another forty years and a pitched battle over a constitutional amendment for women to secure the right to vote in every state.  

Citation: “The Age of Brass: Or the Triumphs of Woman's Rights.” lithograph. [New York]: Currier & Ives, 1869. Visual Studies Collection, Library of Virginia.

Lesson Plan
For detailed lesson plan options, visit our Lesson Plan on the Woman Suffrage Movement in Virginia.

Preview Activity

Take a Look: Look at the political cartoon. What do you notice about it? What do you think is the purpose? Pay attention to the appearances of the characters and the writing included in the image.

Post Activities

Current Connections: How would this lithograph be different if it were produced today for a women's-rights-related issue? How would the imagery and message change to suit modern times?

Think About It: Identify and list specific imagery in this lithograph that seeks to place women on a more equal playing field with men. To what extent are the images successful?