Review the Hexagonal Thinking: Expansion & Division diagram in Step 1 of this question and locate the graphic pointing to "Connection #5". For this pair of connected hexagons, describe the connection between them. In 5-7 sentences, explain how Andrew Jackson relates to the Women's Suffrage Movement. Is it a cause-and-effect relationship? Are they part of the same historical event or process? Do they share common characteristics or themes? Refer back to specific events, individuals, or historical developments to support your explanation.

Answer 1

To effectively address your query about the connection between Andrew Jackson and the Women's Suffrage Movement, it is essential to consider the broader historical context in which both figures exist, despite the apparent temporal separation.

Andrew Jackson, the seventh President of the United States (1829-1837), is often associated with the expansion of democracy during the Jacksonian Era, characterized by the idea of populism and increased political participation for white male citizens. However, Jackson's policies, particularly regarding Native American removal and his opposition to abolitionist movements, contrast with the principles of justice and equal rights that would later emerge prominently in the Women's Suffrage Movement. The Women’s Suffrage Movement, which gained momentum in the 19th and early 20th centuries, sought to secure the right to vote for women, advocating for gender equality and challenging the patriarchal structures entrenched in society.

The connection between these two subjects can be understood as one of contrasting ideals. While Jackson’s presidency is emblematic of an era focused on expanding rights for certain groups, it simultaneously highlights the ongoing exclusion and disenfranchisement of women and minorities. Thus, it isn’t purely a cause-and-effect relationship; instead, they reflect a broader historical narrative of the ongoing struggle for civil rights and equality.

Both Jackson’s era and the Women’s Suffrage Movement illustrate the tensions in American democracy: the fight for inclusion amidst systemic inequality. The suffragists likely drew on the prevailing ideas of democracy and rights during Jackson’s presidency to argue for their own inclusion. Events from the women’s rights conventions and advocacy efforts in the late 19th century, like the Seneca Falls Convention of 1848, showcase their struggle to redefine what 'democracy' meant and to whom it applied. Hence, while Andrew Jackson may not directly link to the Women’s Suffrage Movement, he represents a critical backdrop of American history that influenced the discourse on rights for all citizens, setting the stage for future movements advocating equality.