The Declaration of Sentiments

The women who organized the Seneca Falls Convention drafted the Declaration of Sentiments. They deliberately used the same structure and wording as were found in the Declaration of Independence.

The left-hand column below lists excerpts from the Declaration of Independence, and the right-hand column lists excerpts from the Declaration of Sentiments. Read through both sets of excerpts and answer the questions that follow about the similarities and differences between the documents.

A partially blurry black and white photo of Elizabeth Cady Stanton seated with her two young children on either side. She and one child look seriously into the camera while the other child gives a slight smile.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton, author of the Declaration of Sentiments.

Declaration of Independence

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, . .The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

Declaration of Sentiments

We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men and women are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that to secure these rights governments are instituted, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Whenever any form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of those who suffer from it to refuse allegiance to it. . .Such has been the patient sufferance [tolerance] of the women under this government, and such is now the necessity which constrains them to demand the equal station to which they are entitled.

The history of mankind is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations on the part of man toward woman, having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over her. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world.

The Declaration of Sentiments

Take Notes