what was the relationship between industrialization and the women's rights movement?what did the women reformers want?

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readerofbooks | College Teacher | (Level 2) Educator Emeritus

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This is great question. There are many possible ways to look at this question and many possible answers. Here is one line of reasoning that will give you an important perspective.

Before the industrial revolution, most people were farmers. This meant that both men and women had to work the land to have enough food for their family. In this context, there was little time for women to do anything. They worked, took care of the children, and little more. Exhaustion played a big role. Think of how hard it is today to work and raise children. Imagine how hard it must have been back then.

When the industrial revolution picked some steam, things became much more effective through the use of machines. For this reason, women had more time to think and act. In this context, they began to stand up for their rights more and more. By the 1920, women finally got the right to vote, but it was a long battle. In short, we can say that the industrial revolution afforded women with time to stand up for equal rights.