Seneca Falls Simulation

The Setting:
In the 1840s, following the second great awakening, abolitionism,
and other social reform movements, women began to seek
greater control over their lives, including their finances. Women
were prohibited from inheriting property, signing contracts,
serving on juries, and voting in elections. They did not have many
opportunities for work and if they did find work, they were paid
less than half of what men made and their wages typically
belonged to their husbands.
In 1848, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucretia, Mott, Martha Wright,
Mary Ann McClintock, and others planned and organized the first
ever Womens Rights Convention. It would be held from July 19July 21, 1848 at the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel in Seneca Falls,
New York. The majority of the organizers came from Quaker
backgrounds and favored various social reforms. The organizers
put together a document called the Declaration of Sentiments,
describing the goals of womens rights and various grievances.
This document used the Declaration of Independence as a
template. There were over 240 attendees at the Convention, 40 of
whom were males. 100 of these attendees would sign on to the
Declaration of Sentiments. Shortly after Seneca Falls, Abigail
Adams and others held more Womens Rights Conventions.
The Characters:
Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Lucretia Mott
Martha Wright
Mary Ann McClintock
Amy Post
Frederick Douglass

Amelia Bloomer
Ansel Bascom
The Timeline:
1. The Opening Remarks Elizabeth Cady Stanton
2. The First Speech Lucretia Mott
3. Comments on First Speech Amy Post and Amelia Bloomer
4. Reading of the Declaration Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott
5. Satire of Womens Role in Society Martha Wright
6. Comments on Satire Amy Post and Amelia Bloomer
7. Discussion of Legislation Ansel Bascom
8. Comments on Legislation All
9. Support for Universal Suffrage Frederick Douglass
10.
Comments on Universal Suffrage Amy Post and Amelia Bloomer
11.
Call to Action - Mary Ann McClintock
12.
Comments on Call to Action Amy Post and Amelia Bloomer
13.
The Closing Address Lucretia Mott
14.
Signing of the Declaration of Sentiments All, but Ansel Bascom
and Amelia Bloomer

Directions:

You will be separated into groups of 3-4 and assigned one of the above
characters.
As a group, read through your characters background and assignment
during the simulation.
You will be expected to hold your own Seneca Falls Convention, playing
out the parts of your characters and how they would have acted during
the Convention.
Each person in your group must participate at least once during your
part of the simulation.
Follow the timeline listed above, or watch for cues from the moderator
(the teacher) to know when to complete your part.
You will have time to practice and prepare your parts at home before
the actual simulation begins.
On the day of the simulation, each person in your group will be given a
nametag with your characters name on it. This will help keep the
Convention flowing smoothly.