Question

In "Speech After Being Convicted of Voting," why does Susan B. Anthony include excerpts from the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution to support her argument?

Answer 1

Susan B. Anthony included excerpts from the Declaration of Independence and the constitution in her "Speech After Being Convicted of Voting" as she feels that documents like these are what makes the government oppress women.

Step-by-step explanation:

Susan B. Anthony was a women's rights activist who was put on trial for participating in the presidential election, which was regarded as a crime for women weren't allowed to vote. In her speech, she points out that the government is supposed to protect people and their rights. But instead, since women aren't given any rights and representation, laws are being made by males alone. And then women are forced to obey whatever laws are made and taxed without any representation. The word "We the People' does not only include "white males" but rather everyone born and brought up in America, including women. So, if she (women) is to be tried and punished like men under the laws made by the men, then she (women) should also be given equal rights.

Answer 2

In this way, she will be able to establish the ethos that is used by her enemies. Anthony had written this speech to emphasize woman's right to suffrage. She had used these documents that sovereignty is not based on gender.