British Society - Campaign for female suffrage

Question 1

By 1900, could some women get better jobs?

Answer 1

Yes - office workers, some teachers and shop assistants

Question 2

What opportunities increased for middle class women in the early 20th century?

Answer 2

Some could get better paid jobs, and become more independent. But were still expected to give up job when married

Question 3

What act was passed when which allowed women to legally hold all property and money which they took into a marriage?

Answer 3

Married Women’s Property Act in 1882

Question 4

What are the arguments for female suffrage?

Answer 4

Important members of society - mothers
Well able to exercise intellectual capability
Increasing women’s rights from 1860s
Some countries were introducing votes for women - Britain had to as it was free and democratic
Women pay tax

Question 5

What are the arguments against female suffrage?

Answer 5

Women had duties and home and shouldn’t be distracted by political activities
Weaker sex and couldn’t understand political matters
Granting it for women granted it for the other 40% of men
More important matters to deal with
Men play a much greater role in life

Question 6

Who were the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies known as?

Answer 6

Suffragists

Question 7

Who formed the Suffragists in which year?

Answer 7

Millicent Fawcett in 1897

Question 8

How many branches and members did the Suffragists have in 1914?

Answer 8

Over 100k members in over 400 branches from all social classes

Question 9

How many signed the petition for votes for women in Ireland in which year?

Answer 9

67k signed the petition in 1902

Question 10

What methods did the Suffragists use?

Answer 10

Petitions, rallies, marches, letters and publications - PEACEFUL

Question 11

Why did the Suffragists use peaceful methods?

Answer 11

To prove they were worthy and would wait as long as it would take to get the vote

Question 12

Who were the Women’s Social and Political Union known as?

Answer 12

Suffragettes

Question 13

When were the Suffragettes formed and by who?

Answer 13

1903 by Emmeline, Christabel and Sylvia Pankhurst

Question 14

What methods were used by the Suffragettes between 1903-08?

Answer 14

Sort of violent ones - Chaining to fences and annoying opponents meetings

Question 15

What methods were used after 1908?

Answer 15

More violent ones - arson, criminal damage, attacks on golf courses, bomb in Lloyd George’s mansion

Question 16

What was the most famous protest done by the Suffragettes in which year?

Answer 16

June 1913 - Emily Davidson was killed by the King’s horse

Question 17

What were the effects of the methods on public opinion and politicians?

Answer 17

Sine were sympathetic but worried about the violence, some groups formed opposing female suffrage, The Times was completely opposed

Question 18

How much support did the Suffragettes have before WW1?

Answer 18

Not much - definite minority of country

Question 19

Which famous group was formed opposing female suffrage in which year?

Answer 19

National League for Opposing Woman Suffrage was founded in 1910

Question 20

How did the Gov react to the Suffragette campaign?

Answer 20

Arrest - treated as common criminals, not political

Parliamentary discussions

Question 21

How did the Suffragettes respond to being put in prison, especially after 1912?

Answer 21

Hunger strikes

Question 22

How did the Gov respond to hunger strikes?

Answer 22

Force feeding

Cat and Mouse Act 1913- temporary release

Question 23

What bill was introduced which promised women the vote, but was then dropped in which year by which PM?

Answer 23

Conciliation bill in 1911, then dropped by Asquith

Question 24

How did the Suffragettes react to the dropping of the Conciliation bill?

Answer 24

Badly - Big increase in violent activity in 1912-14

Question 25

Did Millicent Fawcett support the war effort, and what did she famously say?

Answer 25

Yes - “Women, your country needs you!”

Question 26

When was there the need for women to fill the gaps?

Answer 26

Mid 1915 in the work place - especially in food, clothing and armaments

Question 27

Why were trade unions opposed to women working in the workplace?

Answer 27

Fears that it would undermine men’s positions and wages

Question 28

What famous march was organised by Pankhurst?

Answer 28

Right to Serve March July 1915

Question 29

What did the WSPU and the Votes for women newspaper change their names to/.

Answer 29

Women’s party and Britannia