A Guide to Primary Resources for U.S. History : The Seneca Falls Declaration University of Kansas Electronic Library The Story of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony PBS, Not For Ourselves Alone - The Seneca Falls Declaration, written in 1848 by Elizabeth Cady Stanton, marked the true beginning of the struggle for female suffrage. Mimicking the Declaration of Independence, Stanton's Declaration sought to point out the inherent hypocrisy of women's inability to vote. This PBS site provides additional information regarding the Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, in addition to the women's suffrage movement in general. It also includes historical documents and lesson plan ideas. Show the video Not for Ourselves Alone and have students complete a video viewing guide where they list key figures and events then after the video is over they expand the ideas presented. Have students create a newspaper opinion article about the Seneca Falls Convention. There should be a headline, three paragraphs about the events of the convention and the answer to the question: How effective were the events of the convention in reaching their goals? Have half of the class read the Declaration of Sentiments and half the class read the Resolutions then summarize the two sections. Ask the question; are there any connections to other famous American documents? List on the board the connections, which might include the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Why did Elizabeth Cady Stanton make these connections? Have students interview a female senior citizen, and write a paper on how the lives of women have changed over the last century. Include parallels between the person's life and struggles within the women's movement.

The Seneca Falls Declaration
NPS: Seneca Falls Mueseum

The Story of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony
PBS: Not For Ourselves Alone

Description: - The Seneca Falls Declaration, written in 1848 by Elizabeth Cady Stanton, marked the true beginning of the struggle for female suffrage. Mimicking the Declaration of Independence, Stanton's Declaration sought to point out the inherent hypocrisy of women's inability to vote.

Teaching Tips:

"Do Now" Suggestions

Show the video Not for Ourselves Alone and have students complete a video viewing guide where they list key figures and events then after the video is over they expand the ideas presented.
Have students create a newspaper opinion article about the Seneca Falls Convention. There should be a headline, three paragraphs about the events of the convention and the answer to the question: How effective were the events of the convention in reaching their goals?

Suggestions for Using this Resource as Part of a Lesson

Have half of the class read the Declaration of Sentiments and half the class read the Resolutions, then summarize the two sections. Ask the question, "Are there any connections to other famous American documents?" List on the board the connections, which might include the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Why did Elizabeth Cady Stanton make these connections?
Have students interview a female senior citizen, and write a paper on how the lives of women have changed over the last century. Include parallels between the person's life and struggles within the women's movement.