Study of the Development of American Feminism (1790-1990): Three Waves and Interaction with Racial Equality Movement

Abstract

Since the birth of feminism, it has been committed to pushing for transforming the inequality state between males and females. American feminism achieved incredible achievements within the last three centuries, not only legislatively, but also ideologically. Meanwhile, the feminism of America and another one of the most essential social group that struggled for their own rights of egalitarianism -- African Americans--have been influenced by one another, making progresses in separate or communal interests. This paper will use literature and case analysis to focus on three waves of the development of American feminism and some important interactions between feminism and the racial equality movement, which aims to find out the differences and evolving factors in three stages of American feminism development and analyze whether positive or negative impacts weigh more when racial equality movement interacted with feminism movement. The result of the research is that the first wave of American feminism was liberal feminism with a significant symbol of gaining female suffrage; the second wave of American feminism was more radical and far more concerned with issues of class and race; the third wave of America feminism was less characterized by a specific political agenda and more of a culture revolution. Furthermore, it could be beneficial for both of them when American Feminism cooperates properly with the racial equality movement.