The Women's Movement as a Social Movement

The modern women’s movement began as early as the eighteenth century but experienced a peak of activity during the campaign for the vote for women. ¹ Since the 1960s it has again experienced a resurgence in Western countries. A ‘backlash’ against the movement is now occurring and it too has its precedent. In the 1920s under reaction, the movement became dormant and many feminists joined the peace movement. ² It is worth remembering, though, that it was in 1923 that the Women’s Party in America succeeded in getting the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) introduced into Congress. Now the ERA has been defeated after nearly sixty years of struggle. This book is timely then when we consider that women’s groups have played a powerful role in its defeat.