Sisterhood Questioned: Race, Class and Internationalism in the American and British Women's Movements c. 1880s - 1970s

by Christine Bolt

Overview

This readable and informative survey, including both new research and synthesis, provides the first close comparison of race, class and internationalism in the British and American women's movements during this period. Sisterhood Questioned assesses the nature and impact of divisions in the twentieth century American and British women's movements.

In this lucidly written study, Christine Bolt sheds new light on these differences, which flourished in an era of political reaction, economic insecurity, polarizing nationalism and resurgent anti-feminism. The author reveals how the conflicts were seized upon and publicised by contemporaries, and how the activists themselves were forced to confront the increasingly complex tensions.

Drawing on a wide range of sources, the author demonstrates that women in the twentieth century continued to co-operate despite these divisions, and that feminist movements remained active right up to and beyond the reformist 1960s. It is invaluable reading for all those with an interest in American history, British history or women's studies.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780415158527
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	04/22/2004
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Christine Bolt is Emeritus Professor of American History at the University of Kent. Her books include The Anti-Slavery Movement and Reconstruction, Victorian Attitudes to Race, and The Women's Movements in the United States and Britain, from the 1790s to the 1920s.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction; Chapter 2 The setting, 1880s–1914; Chapter 3 The impact of the First World War; Chapter 4 Feminist internationalism and nationalism between the wars; Chapter 5 Feminism and race, 1920s–1930s; Chapter 6 Feminism and class during the interwar years; Chapter 7 The Second World War; Chapter 8 The post-war women's movements; Chapter 9 Conclusion; Notes; Index;

Editorial Reviews

'[The] main contribution of this book is its comparative approach, which brings much fresh insight into familiar areas of labour and socialist history ... An excellent general introduction.' – IRSH

From the Publisher