Which form of civic participation did Anthony and Stanton advocate for?

• A. Running social media campaigns
• B. Direct action through protests and civil disobedience
• C. Petitions, conventions, and lobbying for constitutional amendments
• D. Voting in elections as candidates

Answer: (C)

Their approach was to secure women’s right to vote through a constitutional change, using organized petitions, conventions, and lobbying to push for an amendment. Anthony and Stanton believed that a federal amendment would guarantee the vote for women across all states, creating a lasting, nationwide right rather than leaving it to each state to decide. They built broad support by circulating petitions to lawmakers, organizing and attending conventions to articulate demands, and lobbying legislators to back an amendment. This focus on formal political reform through the constitutional process best captures their strategy.

Social media campaigns are a modern tactic not characteristic of their era. Direct action like protests occurred in the movement, but Anthony and Stanton emphasized the constitutional amendment route as their primary strategy. They did not advocate for running as candidates themselves to win elections.