What was a significant consequence of Susan B. Anthony's refusal to pay her fine?

Susan B. Anthony's refusal to pay her fine after voting illegally in the 1872 election was significant because it indeed sparked a national debate about women's voting rights. This act of civil disobedience highlighted the injustices women faced under the law and brought attention to the broader suffrage movement. By challenging the legal system and publicly standing against gender discrimination, Anthony galvanized supporters and brought visibility to the demand for women's suffrage.

The conflict raised questions about the legal limitations imposed on women and underscored the necessity of reform. Anthony's principled stand and her subsequent trial garnered substantial media coverage, which further propelled the discussion surrounding women's rights onto national platforms, influencing both public opinion and policy in the years that followed.

This action did not directly result in her imprisonment, nor did it lead to the formation of new political parties in a direct manner, although it did invigorate existing movements. While it may have inspired similar actions among other women, the immediate and significant consequence was the national debate it incited regarding women's rights in America.