13. Suffragettes (inc. Overview Of 20th Century) Flashcards
What was the background to the campaign for the votes for women?
In 1792, Mary Wollstonecraft had written A Vindication if the Rights of Women
In 1832, Henry Hunt tried to get the term ‘male’ changed to ‘female’ in the Reform Act
Some Chartists had demanded the vote for women
John Stuart Mill tried and failed to have women’s suffrage in the 1867 Act.
All radical MPs who tried introduce a motion which favoured women getting the vote favoured all failed
Who were the ‘Ladies of Langham Place’ and what did they do?
Between 1850s and 1860s, they’d tried to improve the status of women by campaigning for different issues: higher education for women, medical training for women, against child prostitution and marital violence, married women to keep own property.
What did they soon realise?
That getting the vote would be the only way to bring these changes around
The exclusion of women from the Reform Act 1867 led to the formation of the NUWSS(National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies) which was led by Millicent Fawcett
What did the NUWSS do?
They used touring speakers, leaflets, pamphlets and a newspaper to spread the caused
They were supported by a few MPs inc. John Stuart Mill
They interrupted political meetings and asked about their attitudes towards women e.t.c
What was some opposition to women’s suffrage?
Queen Victoria, Octavia Hill and Florence Nightingale were a few to oppose it as well as the Mother’s Union. Many victorians believe women were best suited for being at home in a domestic role, bearing children and looking after them Some argued that women were too emotional for politics, others say they can’t vote as they don’t fight in the wars, others were worried there were more women then men and finally, others thought the only women who wanted to vote were middle class ladies who had nothing better to do
What was founded in 1903?
WSPU - Women’s Social and Political Union
Led by Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters, Sylvia and Christable.
What did the WSPU do?
(As well as peaceful tactics) Disrupted political meetings, threw stones at windows, set fire to letter boxes, chained themselves to railings, tried to force themselves into Parliament, damaged golf courses and some for themselves into prison on purpose for more publicity
What did Emily Davidson do in 1913?
She ran out in front of the King’s horse in the Derby
She was killed and her funeral turned into a huge suffragette procession
Why did some people start not supporting the WSUP?
Members of the NUWSS increased but many people were out of by the WSPU’s violent tactics
By First World War, it seemed neither conservatives or liberals would give women the vote so many hoped the Labour Party might
What happened with Suffragettes when WW1 broke out?
Most suspended their political activities to support the war effort
Normally, women had domestic roles but due to all the men being at war, they began working in semi-skilled and skilled jobs at factories.
Some worked as civil servants, bus conductors and police women
However, men didn’t like this and wages were half that of men’s
How did attitudes towards women change?
Lloyd George became Prime Minister and was a lot more sympathetic and people realised what an important part women played in the war effort
However, many had to give up their jobs after the war
What happened in 1918 and then in 1928?
1918 - women over 30 were given the vote
1928 - everyone over 21 could vote (same terms as men)
How did things change for women after this?
Although pay was 50% less then a man’s pay, by 1945 7.25 million women were employed in the war effort (everything but fighting)
What important legislations were made after WW2?
The Abortion Act 1967
The Divorce Act 1969
The Equal Pay Act 1970
The Employment Protection Act 1975 (illegal to sack someone for being pregnant)
What were some noticeable firsts for women?
Margaret Thatcher was the first female Prime Minister in Uk
Betty Boothroyd becoming first female speaker of the House of Commons
A record number of women MPs elected in 1997 (101 were labour)
