Bunuel
Greene: The early women’s suffrage movement in the northeastern United States gained traction in large part because reform-minded churches provided one of the few socially acceptable spaces where women could speak publicly and organize collective action.Lin: That overstates the role of churches. While some early suffrage events occurred in church buildings, the real acceleration of the movement came later, when women began organizing through secular political associations and advocacy clubs that operated independently of religious institutions.Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen Historian Greene’s argument?A. In several southern states, where church involvement in suffrage activities was minimal, the women's suffrage movement developed more slowly.B. Although some early suffrage activists had backgrounds in religious reform, they deliberately established secular organizations to avoid relying on church-based institutions.C. Many early suffrage organizers in the Northeast were already active in church-run religious reform networks prior to their involvement in political advocacy.D. Newspaper coverage of women’s suffrage was more frequent in northeastern states than in other areas of the United States, regardless of the presence of churches.E. Public petitions supporting women’s voting rights in the early 1800s often used religious language, even when submitted by secular groups.
Greene's argument:
The church provided socially acceptable spaces for women to interact and organize collective action.
Thus, the Church played a major role.
Lin's argument:
Overstates the role of the Church.
Acceleration of the movement occurred later when the women began organizing secular political associations and advocacy clubs independent of the Church.
We have to find the option that strengthens the argument made by Greene.
A. In several southern states, where church involvement in suffrage activities was minimal, the women's suffrage movement developed more slowly. This option shows us the impact of the Church and how where its involvement was minimal, the suffrage movement developed more slowly.
Keep
B. Although some early suffrage activists had backgrounds in religious reform, they deliberately established secular organizations to avoid relying on church-based institutions. This doesn't strengthen Greene's argument and is irrelevant to the question at hand.
Reject.
C. Many early suffrage organizers in the Northeast were already active in church-run religious reform networks prior to their involvement in political advocacy. Their prior involvement in the church-run religious reforms has no impact on the argument.
Reject
D. Newspaper coverage of women’s suffrage was more frequent in northeastern states than in other areas of the United States, regardless of the presence of churches. Newspaper coverage isn't the focus of the argument. Irrelevant.
Reject
E. Public petitions supporting women’s voting rights in the early 1800s often used religious language, even when submitted by secular groups. The petitions using religious language have no impact on the argument. The role of the church isn't mentioned explicitly.
Reject
ANSWER: A