B3 - Women and the Vote

Question 1

NUWSS

Answer 1

Suffragists

Question 2

WSPU

Answer 2

Suffragettes

Question 3

Leader of Suffragists

Answer 3

Millicent Fawcett

Question 4

Leader of Suffragettes

Answer 4

Emmeline Pankhurst

Question 5

Spheres

Answer 5

MEN: work, public, provide protection, rational
WOMEN: home, private, care for children and home, emotional

Question 6

1873 Infant Custody Act

Answer 6

granted women custody of children in the case of divorce

Question 7

1894 Local Government Act

Answer 7

gave women the right to vote in local government elections

Question 8

Between 1870 and 1894 women gained the right to vote for and to stand for election in…

Answer 8

school boards, county councils and the Boards of Guardians for poor houses.

Question 9

1870 and 1872 Education Acts

Answer 9

Compulsory education for girls and boys aged 5-12

Question 10

opportunities in education

Answer 10

In 1870, the first university college for women, Girton college was set up.
more opportunities in education –> new professions opened up to those with degrees

Question 11

Colours of Suffragists

Answer 11

green, white, red (give women rights)

Question 12

NUWSS methods

Answer 12

• held public meetings
• handed out leaflets
• used petitions
• parliamentary bills
• lobbying politicians

Question 13

NUWSS pros

Answer 13

• seen as responsible and could be trusted with the vote

- won support from the Labour party and male politicians.

Question 14

NUWSS cons

Answer 14

• many groups had existed since 1860s with no progress

- peaceful methods meant they could be easily ignored or ridiculed.

Question 15

WSPU motto

Answer 15

‘Deeds Not Words’ - highlighted change in direction from NUWSS (believed direct action was needed)

Question 16

WSPU methods

Answer 16

• smashing windows
• chaining themselves to railings
• slashing expensive paintings
• acid on golf courses

Question 17

WSPU prison

Answer 17

• went on huger strike in protest of not being labelled as political prisoners
• women were force fed which created outraged amongst the public and sympathy towards suffragettes
• Prisoner’s Temporary Discharge for Ill Health Act introduced (cat and mouse act)

Question 18

Emily Wilding Davison

Answer 18

• killed by king’s horse at Epsom Derby
• became a martyr for the suffragette cause
• funeral attended by thousands

Question 19

WSPU pros

Answer 19

• publicity from campaign meant votes for women was regularly national discussion
• force-feeding in prison created sympathy

Question 20

WSPU cons

Answer 20

• violence allowed men to reinforce the stereotype that women were too emotional for the vote.
• refused to support Labour Party ‘votes for all’ campaign - suggests the working class were not a priority.

Question 21

By 1918 there were 5 million women taking paid jobs outside the home for the first time in roles such as…

Answer 21

munitionettes, conductors on trams and buses, and nurses in field hospitals.

Question 22

Representation of the People Act 1918

Answer 22

granted the vote to 8 million women aged 30 and over and who also met property guidelines

Question 23

war work pros

Answer 23

• work gained praise from politicians
• challenged arguments that women were too weak for the vote
• changed perception of women in society.
• dangerous work helped to raise levels of respect.

Question 24

war work cons

Answer 24

• only given to those over 30 so many women who helped with the war effort still couldn’t vote
• women were not enfranchised in France despite their war effort

Question 25

Actions of the Suffragettes and Suffragists once the war broke out

Answer 25

• suspended their campaigns immediately after the war was declared and volunteered to help with the war effort.
• made clear to the government that women were keen to support their country

Question 26

countries within British Empire who had given women the vote

Answer 26

1. New Zealand 1893
2. Australia 1902
3. Canada (some parts) 1916

Question 27

Britain’s international rivals who hadn’t given women the vote

Answer 27

1. USA 1920
2. Spain 1931
3. France 1944

Question 28

examples of other countries pros

Answer 28

• Britain couldn’t risk being undermined by her colonies
• Politicians keen to demonstrate they could keep up with the next great reform in politics.
• success in other countries gave hope to British suffrage campaigns

Question 29

example of other countries cons

Answer 29

• the government would have been entirely focused on the war at the time
• some of Britain’s international rivals did not give women the right to vote until much later.

Question 30

rise in NUWSS membership

Answer 30

• in 1909 membership only around 6000

- 1914 membership was approximately 54000 as many women left the suffragettes to join the NUWSS.