What were women's rights like in the 1820s?

Answer 1

A complicated question.

The Federal government does not give rights, but only acknowledges them. That said, there were two political rights denied women by the U.S. government. Voting and holding political office.

While it was rare, some women owned property, had bank accounts and worked various professions, even that of doctor or lawyer.

Their perceived lack of rights was more due to custom, though there were various state and local laws on the books that restricted various behaviors. But as evidence that the oppression of women was more by custom then by law, most of those laws remained on the books even to our times, they were just ignored when the masses had a shift in their beliefs regarding women.

Constitutionally speaking, the 14th amendment made women the full equals in citizenship as men. However, custom again did not let that be the case. In fact, so strong was custom that instead of advocating for the enforcement of the 14th amendment to let women vote, a new amendment was fought for, the 19th. This specifically acknowledged women's political right to vote.

Now custom operates the other way. For instance, there was never any amendment allowing women to hold high political office, it just happened. And while technically the Constitution actually specifically requires that a male be the President, and the presence of the 19th amendment proves that the 14th didn't actually apply to women, it would be inconceivable for there to be any legal challenge to a woman running for President or Vice-President.

Answer 2

women have been able to vote because of Suzan B. Anthony

Answer 3

Better than you're mum in bed