Iron Jawed Angels⁚ A Viewing Guide
This guide offers a structured approach to watching “Iron Jawed Angels,” enhancing comprehension of the American women’s suffrage movement. Explore key figures, strategies, and the film’s historical context. Use the provided discussion questions to deepen understanding and facilitate insightful conversations.
Understanding the Suffrage Movement
The American women’s suffrage movement, a decades-long struggle, aimed to secure voting rights for women. “Iron Jawed Angels” highlights this arduous journey, showcasing the determination and sacrifices of countless activists. The film depicts the movement’s internal conflicts, strategic disagreements, and the significant role of prominent figures like Alice Paul and Lucy Burns. Understanding the historical context is crucial; the fight for suffrage was intertwined with broader social and political changes, including World War I and evolving notions of gender roles. The film’s narrative underscores the complexities of social activism, illustrating the challenges of maintaining unity amidst diverse opinions and approaches. Furthermore, it reveals the personal costs borne by these women in their pursuit of equality. The movement’s persistence ultimately led to the passage of the 19th Amendment, a landmark achievement in American history. This viewing guide helps navigate the film’s complexities and encourages reflection on the lasting impact of the suffrage movement.
Key Players⁚ Alice Paul and Lucy Burns
Alice Paul and Lucy Burns emerge as central figures in “Iron Jawed Angels,” their unwavering dedication shaping the narrative. Paul, a strategist and activist, spearheaded the Congressional Union (later the National Woman’s Party), employing aggressive tactics like picketing and civil disobedience. Burns, a steadfast ally, collaborated with Paul, providing essential support and organizational skills. Their partnership fostered a more radical approach than that of the established National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA). The film highlights their contrasting leadership styles, Paul’s fervent determination, and Burns’s pragmatic approach. Their innovative strategies, including the dramatic White House picketing, challenged the status quo and galvanized public attention. The film explores their personal sacrifices and unwavering commitment to achieving the vote for women. The tensions between their methods and those of more moderate suffragists are central to the film’s narrative, illustrating the complexities of social movements and the diverse approaches within them. Understanding their roles provides a deeper appreciation for the complexities of the suffrage struggle.
Strategies and Tactics of the Suffragettes
The film “Iron Jawed Angels” vividly portrays the diverse strategies and tactics employed by suffragettes in their fight for the vote. Early methods included lobbying, petitioning, and state-by-state campaigns, reflecting a more gradual approach. However, Alice Paul and Lucy Burns introduced a more confrontational strategy, directly challenging President Woodrow Wilson and his administration. This involved highly visible public protests, including the infamous White House picketing, a bold tactic unprecedented in its time. The suffragettes faced arrest, imprisonment, and harsh treatment, utilizing hunger strikes as a powerful form of protest within the prison walls. This willingness to endure hardship garnered significant media attention and public sympathy, shifting public perception. The film contrasts these more radical strategies with the more conventional approach of groups like NAWSA, highlighting the internal divisions within the movement. The diverse tactics showcased demonstrate the evolution of the movement and the determination of its leaders to employ every available means to achieve their goal of women’s suffrage.
The Role of the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA)
The National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA), a key player in the fight for women’s suffrage, is depicted in “Iron Jawed Angels” as having a complex and evolving role. Initially, NAWSA pursued a more moderate strategy, focusing on state-level campaigns and lobbying efforts. The film highlights the internal tensions between NAWSA’s leadership, represented by figures like Carrie Chapman Catt and Anna Howard Shaw, and the more radical approach championed by Alice Paul and Lucy Burns. NAWSA’s leaders initially favored a gradual, state-by-state approach, believing this was more likely to gain broader support and ultimately lead to a constitutional amendment. However, the film portrays a growing dissatisfaction with NAWSA’s perceived slow pace and reluctance to adopt more aggressive tactics. This internal conflict underscores the differing philosophies and strategies within the larger suffrage movement, with NAWSA ultimately representing a more cautious and established approach, contrasting sharply with the more confrontational tactics employed by Paul and Burns’ Congressional Union.
Conflict and Division within the Movement
“Iron Jawed Angels” vividly portrays the deep divisions and conflicts that fractured the women’s suffrage movement. The film highlights the clash between the established National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA), with its more moderate strategies, and the more radical Congressional Union (CU), led by Alice Paul and Lucy Burns. NAWSA’s leadership, primarily Carrie Chapman Catt and Anna Howard Shaw, favored a state-by-state approach, focusing on gradual legislative victories. In contrast, Paul and Burns advocated for a more aggressive, confrontational strategy, including civil disobedience and direct action. This fundamental disagreement over tactics created considerable tension and ultimately led to a formal split within the movement. The film depicts the intense debates and disagreements over fundraising, leadership, and the best path towards achieving women’s suffrage. The conflict between these factions is portrayed as both ideologically and strategically driven, reflecting the diverse approaches and personalities involved in the struggle for voting rights. This division, while detrimental in some ways, also reflects the dynamic and multifaceted nature of social movements.
The Impact of World War I
World War I significantly impacted the American women’s suffrage movement, as depicted in “Iron Jawed Angels.” The war created a complex backdrop against which the suffragists’ struggle played out. Initially, many women supported the war effort, believing their contributions would strengthen their case for suffrage. However, the war also intensified existing divisions within the movement. While some suffragists felt it was inappropriate to pursue political action during wartime, others, notably Alice Paul and the National Woman’s Party, saw an opportunity to leverage the war’s emphasis on national unity and women’s contributions to advance their cause. The film shows how the war effort both galvanized support for suffrage and created new challenges. The war’s emphasis on women’s contributions to the workforce and their patriotic service unexpectedly provided a powerful argument for their right to vote. Simultaneously, the war effort also led to increased government scrutiny and suppression of dissent, resulting in the arrest and imprisonment of many suffragists, including Paul herself. The war’s impact on the movement is thus a double-edged sword, showcasing both the potential for progress and the enduring challenges faced by the suffragists. The film subtly portrays the war as both a catalyst and an obstacle in the fight for women’s suffrage.
Picketing the White House and Civil Disobedience
A pivotal moment in the women’s suffrage movement, as depicted in “Iron Jawed Angels,” was the commencement of picketing the White House in 1917. Alice Paul and the National Woman’s Party employed this tactic of civil disobedience to directly pressure President Woodrow Wilson to support a constitutional amendment granting women the right to vote. The picketing was not merely a symbolic gesture; it represented a deliberate strategy of nonviolent protest, a conscious choice to engage in civil disobedience. The women faced arrest, imprisonment, and harsh treatment for their actions. The film vividly portrays the physical and psychological toll exacted on the picketers, highlighting their unwavering commitment to their cause. Their civil disobedience, though met with resistance, garnered significant media attention and public sympathy, ultimately contributing to the growing momentum for women’s suffrage. The picketing of the White House served as a powerful symbol of the suffragists’ determination to challenge the established power structure and fight for their rights using nonviolent means. This dramatic act of civil disobedience became a turning point in the movement, shifting public opinion and intensifying the pressure on the government to act.
Imprisonment and Hunger Strikes
The film “Iron Jawed Angels” powerfully portrays the imprisonment and subsequent hunger strikes undertaken by Alice Paul and other members of the National Woman’s Party. Arrested for picketing the White House, they faced brutal conditions in prison, including solitary confinement and force-feeding. The hunger strikes were a calculated act of defiance, a dramatic escalation of their civil disobedience. By refusing food, they aimed to draw attention to the injustice of their imprisonment and the government’s refusal to address women’s suffrage; The depiction of force-feeding in the film is particularly graphic, emphasizing the physical and psychological suffering endured by the suffragists. Their resilience in the face of such harsh treatment became a symbol of their unwavering commitment to the cause. The hunger strikes, though extremely dangerous, generated substantial public sympathy and outrage, adding significant pressure on the government to concede to their demands. The film highlights the courage and determination of these women who endured physical hardship and risked their health to advance the cause of women’s suffrage. Their actions galvanized public support and pushed the movement closer to achieving its goal.
The Passage of the 19th Amendment
The culmination of the long and arduous struggle depicted in “Iron Jawed Angels” is the passage of the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution. This landmark achievement, granting women the right to vote, is presented as a direct result of the sustained activism, strategic campaigning, and unwavering determination of the suffragists. The film highlights the crucial role played by Alice Paul and Lucy Burns and their confrontational tactics in pressuring the government. The strategic shift towards a national amendment, rather than focusing solely on state-by-state campaigns, is also depicted. While the film showcases the eventual triumph, it doesn’t shy away from the internal conflicts and divisions within the movement that almost derailed their progress. The passage of the 19th Amendment is shown not merely as a legislative victory but as a testament to the power of sustained activism and the willingness to engage in civil disobedience and endure significant personal sacrifices. It underscores the importance of organized political action and the impact of sustained public pressure in bringing about meaningful social change. The film successfully portrays the culmination of decades of struggle, illustrating how the relentless efforts of determined individuals can significantly impact the course of history.
Legacy and Lasting Impact of the Suffrage Movement
The success of the women’s suffrage movement, as portrayed in “Iron Jawed Angels,” had a profound and lasting impact far beyond the simple granting of voting rights. The film showcases how the struggle fostered a sense of unity and empowerment among women, inspiring future generations of activists to fight for gender equality. The strategies employed—civil disobedience, public protests, and the strategic use of media—became models for future social movements. The film highlights the importance of persistent advocacy and the power of collective action in achieving significant social change. While the 19th Amendment marked a major victory, the film subtly suggests that the fight for complete gender equality continues. The legacy of the suffragists is not just about the right to vote but also about the broader fight for women’s rights and social justice. The film’s depiction of the movement’s internal conflicts and the ongoing struggle for equality reminds viewers that the fight for full gender equality remains a work in progress, even after the hard-won victory of the 19th Amendment. Their persistent efforts serve as a powerful example of the transformative potential of collective action and the enduring importance of fighting for social justice.
Discussion Questions for Deeper Understanding
To further explore the themes and complexities presented in “Iron Jawed Angels,” consider these discussion points⁚ How did the film’s portrayal of Alice Paul and Lucy Burns’ strategies challenge the established norms of political activism at the time? What were the ethical implications of the suffragists’ tactics, particularly their use of civil disobedience and hunger strikes? How did World War I impact the women’s suffrage movement, both positively and negatively? Compare and contrast the approaches of the NAWSA and the NWP. What insights does the film offer into the complexities of social movements, including internal divisions and differing approaches to achieving change? Did the film successfully portray the diversity of the suffrage movement? Discuss the role of race and class within the movement. What were the long-term consequences of the 19th Amendment’s passage? How does the film resonate with contemporary social justice movements? How does the film’s depiction of the suffragettes’ struggles contribute to our understanding of ongoing fights for equality and justice today? Finally, consider what lessons can be learned from the suffragists’ experiences that can be applied to contemporary social activism and advocacy.