Dbq 2016

Throughout much of history, women have been denied the opportunity to hold political positions. Often this is due to the stereotypes of women and the dominance of men. Overall the relationships between gender and politics in 20th century Latin America are demonstrated as a result of the support of women’s involvement in politics despite the opposition through the efforts made to create change.

Women’s involvement in politics was not a widely supported cause. Although there were not many supporters, women still fought to gain support from both males and females. Document 2 is a speech by Hermila Galindo expressing her support for women's suffrage. She explains that the children are what persuade each woman to seek political authority. These women want to protect their children from the evils of the world and commit their time to convince others the necessity of women’s involvement in politics. Document 4 is a speech by Ricardo Dolz stating his opinion on a bill to give married women economic rights. This man is in the minority of male supporters of women's rights. He explains why he believes women should participate in politics since it is necessary for people to have equal rights. Document 7 is an organization that supports the cause of women’s involvement in politics. They express their beliefs in what the Sandinista Popular Revolution may do for women stating that there will be equality between genders in economics, politics, and culture. Document 10 is a Chilean woman speaker expressing her thoughts at the First National Meeting of the Female Temporary Agricultural Workers. She questions the other women asking them to consider what the men really do for society. The author of document 10, a Chilean woman speaker, uses rhetorical devices to ask questions involving things that most women had experienced in Latin America in the 20th century to evoke feelings of anger and self-pity. She asks these women questions that cause them to reflect on what their husbands really do for them. This author uses these questions to persuade her listeners to believe that men should not have authority in politics since they do not respect women or support them. An additional document from the perspective of a supportive husband expressing his reasoning for why he supports a wife who works and is involved in women’s rights would be helpful. This would support the claim that both males and females desired to have women involved in politics. Documents 2, 4, 7, and 10 each express how women were supported by both males and females to push for economic, political, and cultural equality.

Women in 20th century Latin America were often subjected to those who were dubious about their abilities involving politics. A vast majority of these doubters were male because they did not believe that women should participate in politics, but rather they should do their duties as women. Document 1 is a letter to the editors of La Mujer Mexicana expressing his standpoint on women in politics. He states that women should be solely focused on their duties within the home. Document 6 is a private letter to the Mexican President from a veteran of the Mexican Revolution stating his concerns about women in politics. Similarly to document 1, this man says that women are meant to dedicate themselves to their homes. He suggests that giving women power to govern would create disaster and madness. The author of document 1, Justo Sierra, often uses plural pronouns suggesting that he is not only speaking for himself and seems to believe that he speaks for all men which is hardly the case. He says that seeking this feminism suggests that these women wish to transform themselves into men. He believes women are only meant to be companions for men and caretakers of the home. An additional document from the point of view of a woman who is against feminism would be helpful. This would support the claim that not only men despised the idea of women participating in government. Documents 1 and 6 both portray