B3 - Women and the Vote Flashcards
NUWSS
Suffragists
WSPU
Suffragettes
Leader of Suffragists
Millicent Fawcett
Leader of Suffragettes
Emmeline Pankhurst
Spheres
MEN: work, public, provide protection, rational
WOMEN: home, private, care for children and home, emotional
1873 Infant Custody Act
granted women custody of children in the case of divorce
1894 Local Government Act
gave women the right to vote in local government elections
Between 1870 and 1894 women gained the right to vote for and to stand for election in…
school boards, county councils and the Boards of Guardians for poor houses.
1870 and 1872 Education Acts
Compulsory education for girls and boys aged 5-12
opportunities in education
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
Colours of Suffragists
green, white, red (give women rights)
NUWSS methods
- held public meetings
- handed out leaflets
- used petitions
- parliamentary bills
- lobbying politicians
NUWSS pros
- seen as responsible and could be trusted with the vote
- won support from the Labour party and male politicians.
NUWSS cons
- many groups had existed since 1860s with no progress
- peaceful methods meant they could be easily ignored or ridiculed.
WSPU motto
‘Deeds Not Words’ - highlighted change in direction from NUWSS (believed direct action was needed)
WSPU methods
- smashing windows
- chaining themselves to railings
- slashing expensive paintings
- acid on golf courses
WSPU prison
- 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)
Emily Wilding Davison
- killed by king’s horse at Epsom Derby
- became a martyr for the suffragette cause
- funeral attended by thousands
WSPU pros
- publicity from campaign meant votes for women was regularly national discussion
- force-feeding in prison created sympathy
WSPU cons
- 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.
By 1918 there were 5 million women taking paid jobs outside the home for the first time in roles such as…
munitionettes, conductors on trams and buses, and nurses in field hospitals.
Representation of the People Act 1918
granted the vote to 8 million women aged 30 and over and who also met property guidelines
war work pros
- 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.
war work cons
- 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
Actions of the Suffragettes and Suffragists once the war broke out
- 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
countries within British Empire who had given women the vote
- New Zealand 1893
- Australia 1902
- Canada (some parts) 1916
Britain’s international rivals who hadn’t given women the vote
- USA 1920
- Spain 1931
- France 1944
examples of other countries pros
- 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
example of other countries cons
- 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.
rise in NUWSS membership
- in 1909 membership only around 6000
- 1914 membership was approximately 54000 as many women left the suffragettes to join the NUWSS.
