What does Elizabeth staton mean by the dark ages?

Elizabeth Cady Stanton refers to the "dark ages" in the context of women's rights and societal oppression. She uses this term to describe a period in history when women were denied basic rights and freedoms, particularly in relation to education, legal status, and participation in public life. Stanton believed that this era of ignorance and suppression hindered progress and enlightenment for both women and society as a whole. By highlighting this "dark" period, she aimed to advocate for women's empowerment and equality.