Times are a-changing and nowadays it is easy to take our ability to vote for granted. However, it's really not that long ago since our grandmothers and great-grandmothers had to go through some serious abuse to win that right. Just a century ago, suffrage was a highly divisive and controversial issue in Western society.

It's always scary to challenge the status quo and these postcards from the early 20th century are a perfect illustration of that. In them, you can see the frustration of men and women alike, who were afraid of change and thought that granting women the right to vote will somehow ruin the world and the progress that was made. Sadly, these mocking images still look vaguely familiar even in today's context where feminists (sometimes even referred to as feminazis) are depicted as irrational, neurotic and even abusive. Scroll down below to see the full list of illustrations and don't forget to vote for the ones you like (erm, hate?) the most.

#2

Palczewski Suffrage Postcard Archive Report

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Kaisu
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes I'm sure housework is the most terrible suffering these men could imagine, they wouldn't have ever handled being glorified objects the way women had to

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#4

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Sandy Gilliland
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The reason these posters, like this one, were made is because this is the way the men acted toward women and were TERRIFIED to have it come back to THEM!

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#9

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Andrew Park
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love how pretty much any comments made by men that is making fun or finding humor in some of these posters (and lets face it, some of these faces look hilarious) are getting downvoted, as if they agree with the poster or something. You know we can disagree with the message wholeheartedly and still find these antiquated drawings hilarious looking.

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Pseudo Puppy
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

yes, the posters are "funny" (because they're so ludicrous), but the intention behind the message, is far from funny. The outright lack of basic human rights experienced by women in that era, is horrific: unable to work, earn money, save money, control their own reproduction, own property - left them 100% enslaved to whoever their father gave them to, as housekeeper / sexual slave etc. The whole "marriage" notion was romanticised by women, as a means of survival. It's why men were judged predominantly on their income, and ability to "look after" a wife - because women had NO way of looking after themselves financially. So, while I agree, that some of these posters are laughable - the circumstances in which they were made, sadly, were in no way humourous. (and I have a seriously morbid, dark sense of humour)

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Ivana
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks like two married people just living their best sexual lives. Extra points for such an inventive way to use a rocking chair. I can't wait to show my husband, it is his birthday and he is going to love it.

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Paizleypie
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It was not at all uncommon for husbands to literally spank their wives . . . Just you try it NOW Buster!

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Christina Sersif
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He probably deserved it plus he’s getting beat with a feather duster for goodness sakes

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Lo Lyfe
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I, a female, thank you for this comment. Ive read horrible things woman are saying about these pictures not realizing this helped the womens rights movement. Obviously these aren't most peoles views today but I myself find them humorous.

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c Fuller
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

turn about's fair play! She's having a swat at him, as he probably thought it was his right to swat her!

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Cip IESAN
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4 years ago

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Sadomaso again! The time they had no latex suits...

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#10

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Bettye McKee
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These were purposefully exaggerated by men to spread the fear that they were losing control of their women.

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#11

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Kaisu
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't worry, women don't want to take away men's right to vote like men did with women!

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Esther
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Men were so afraid that women will take away their right to vote. Just like men were voting for women before we had the right to vote ourselves. Pathetic.

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Tifferooski
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

God forbid you take care of your own child. Makes my husband look like a saint.

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NCC~1701
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Can they not take turns watching the children to go vote. I don’t understand. Most voting places are open all day.

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Karen Klinck
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You were either a mother or a whore. There was no other recognized position.

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#23

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Andrew Park
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't get the whole thing about ham and mustard. Does this have to do with men cooking or something? Again, this poster make needs to go back to poster school.

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Magpie
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh no! He might have to pay attention to "his" children.

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Louise Brigance
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

HUH! According to many this is still what awaits women who go "professional". Despite the fact it takes two people working to make ends meet, don't encourage a woman to have a profession!

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Chris DiFonso
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What is especially horrible is that the men, who were repressing women, portrayed themselves as the victims!

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Note: this post originally had 60 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.

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