British- Women Suffrage Flashcards
Why were people for suffrage?
They pay taxes, votes affected them, role in WW1, New Zealand gave women suffrage (progressive, equality), could vote in local elections
Why were people against suffrage?
Sexism, hormones, ruled by husbands, their protection, vote would encourage careers and neglect families.
Who were the suffragettes? Who was their leader?
Started in 1903 by Emmeline Pankhurst, Crystabel and Sylvia.
Upper and middle class women, radical group.
2,000 members at peak.
What did the WSPU (suffragettes) do?
In 1914 their newspaper (votes for women) had a circulation of 40,000.
They got votes for women printed on bread.
Spat at police
Vandalised property (parcel bombs)
No vote no golf in acid
Hunger strikes in 1909
Who was Emily Davidson?
A suffragette who was trampled by the Kings horse in 1913 at the Derby at Epsom.
Who were the suffragists? Who was their leader?
They were a non-violent group known as the NUWSS. It was started in 1897, Led by Millicent Fawcett (an elected leader). There were 100,000 members and men were allowed.
By 1900 there were 500 local branches.
What techniques did the suffragists use?
Petitions up to 250,000 signatures were signed (1910).
They used civil disobedience.
Meetings and demonstrations all over Britain some attractive 20,000 women.
They made pin badges belts and jewellery.
They also used propaganda- posters leaflets postcards.
Which prime minister was against votes for women? What did he do in 1911?
Asquith.
In 1911 he dropped the conciliation bill.
When was the cat and mouse act introduced?
1913
What did the suffragists do during the war?
They continued their campaign and set up job centres.
What did the suffragettes do during the war?
They stopped their campaigning and gave out white feathers in 1914.
What law was passed in 1918?
Representation of the people act. Women over 30 could vote and become MPs. All men over 21 could vote.
When did men and women get equal voting rights?
1928
Why did women get the vote?
Rewards for war work, government worried about the violence, soldiers couldn’t vote when they were fighting, other countries had given woman the vote
