British Depth - WSPU Flashcards
When was the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies (NUWSS) founded?
1897
Who founded the NUWSS?
Millicent Fawcett
What did the NUWSS focus on?
Gaining to vote for women by unifying different groups that were campaigning
When was the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) founded?
1903
Who founded the WSPU?
Meme line and Christabel Pankhurst
What was the leadership style in the WSPU like?
Autocratic with complete obedience expected
How did the WSPU differ from other groups?
- No constitution
- No annual meetings
- No accounts
What were the WSPU’s aims?
- Achieve female suffrage
- Pressure the ILP
- Free women from ‘slavery’
What were the early tactics of the WSPU?
- Journal ‘The Suffragette’ featuring articles in their support
- Took part in marches like the May Day parades
- Feb 1907, ‘Mud March’
- June 1908 larger march of 30,000
How did the WPSU differ from the NUWSS up to 1908?
They would heckle ministers at public meetings
What was the key new tactic in 1908 made famous by Marion Wallace-Dunlop?
Hunger strikes
What did Emmeline Pethick-Lawrence write in the ‘Votes for Women’ journal in 1909?
“Nothing but militant action is left for us now”
What attacks did Christabel Pankhurst lead in 1909?
- Window breaking of London Social Clubs
- Burning post boxes
- Attacking golf greens
- Damaging properties of prominent politicians
When was the event Black Friday?
November 1910
What happened on Black Friday?
A number of suffragettes were arrested for fights with police outside Parliament
What slowed militant actions in 1911?
Potential passing of the first Conciliation Bill
What were 5 key examples of militant actions from 1912?
- Attacks on London property, like the bombing of Lloyd George’s house in 1913
- Slashing of painting ‘Rokeby Venus’
- Burning of timber yard, university building and two mansions in Bristol
- Davison throwing herself in front of the Kings horse at the Derby 1913
- Hunger strikes and the ‘Cat and Mouse Act’
What stopped militant action in 1914?
WW1 outbreak as the Suffragette changed to the Britannia
What party was Emmeline Pankhurst involved with?
Liberal Party
Frustration with what group led to the creation of the WSPU
Women’s Franchise League (1889)
What about Pankhurst deterred some members from joining the WSPU?
Her stubborn side and her leadership style
What side of Emmeline Pankhurst deterred some member from joining the WSPU?
Her stubborn side and leadership style
What did the WSPU do in 1905 and why?
Relocated from Manchester to London to be more central
How did Pankhursts strong leadership benefit the WSPU?
When members left in 1913 over unhappiness with the militarism she held it together
How did Emmelines strong leadership benefit the WSPU?
In 1913 when members left due to unhappiness over militancy she kept it together
What did Christabel do in the WSPU?
Was a secretary that organised meetings and protests
What did Christabel do in 1913?
Fled to France to escape prison time and would organise for the party from abroad
How was Christabel crucial for the WSPU?
- She maintained militancy
- Focused the party on female suffrage
What did Sylvia do for the movement?
As an artist she would design posters, journal covers and banners
How supportive was Sylvia of militancy?
She supported it but not fully as she was arrested three times but was not a fan of arson campaigns in 1913
