DCY issue 3: changing attitudes towards women Flashcards
introduction
During the 19th and early 20th Centuries women in Britain were treated as second class citizens at best and as property at worst. Despite the fact that some women were able to vote in local elections, all women were denied the right to vote in General Elections until Dec. 1918. There were many reasons why some women received the vote in 1918 including the work of the Suffragists; the militant Suffragette campaign; the work done by women during the war and the influence of other nations. This response will argue that, although the militant Suffragette campaign did help gain votes for some women, the work carried out during the war by women was the most important reason why some women got the vote in 1918.
Changing attitude
K-By 1894 women had won the right to vote in local elections for bodies such as school boards, county councils and parish councils.
A-this was important as it showed that women could play an important role in public life and it became increasingly difficult to argue that if women could play this role at a local level, that they could not do so at a national level.
A+- women were still entirely excluded from voting in national elections.
K-By the twentieth century women were successfully practising as teachers, lawyers and doctors and by moving into roles previously dominated by men.
A- This was important in successfully challenging long held stereotypes about their capabilities which was an important step on the roads to political equality.
Suffragettes
K-The suffragettes living by their motto ”deeds not words” believed that direct action was needed to gain publicity for their cause. For example, they heckled Sir Edward Grey in 1905.
A-This was an incredibly important opening move as newspapers immediately took notice and gave the suffragettes the attention they sought, which pressured the government to award women the vote.
K-Additional militant tactics followed with acid being poured on golf greens, paintings slashed in the national gallery and arson attacks against post boxes and public buildings.
A- these were important in getting insurance companies to put pressure on the government to tackle the issue.
A+-however, the government called them terrorists during the wild years and even Churchill declared their cause has ‘marched backwards.’
Suffragists
K-The NUWSS believed that the best way to win the vote was to gain the respect of MPs in power through peaceful moderate tactics, including petitions and organised meetings.
A- this is important as their tactics proved that women were politically aware and responsible to vote-this impacted suffrage to bills being discussed in parliament in 1910,1911 and 1912.
A+-however,they did not grab newspaper headlines or the necessary publicity that was necessary to pressure the government further.
K-The NUWSS had over 600 branches and estimated 100,000 members by 1914.
A-This shows that they had the foundations of a strong pressure group to effectively target political support, such as the newly formed labour party.
WW1
K-Female suffrage groups halted their campaigns on the outbreak of war and women filed the void left by men who marched off to war. They worked in transport, nursing, agriculture and government offices.
A-This was important in eradicating arguments that women were unable to be successful in previous male occupations. This convinced more people that women should be awarded with the vote.
K-Over 700,00 women were employed making munitions and facing considerable danger, not just from explosions but also from the chemicals they used.
A- this was important as undoubtedly the sight of women ‘doing their bit’ for the war effort gained respect and balanced the negative publicity of the earlier suffragette campaign.
A+-however, the 1918 representation of the people act only gave some women the vote over the age of 30. The majority of women who served were younger, which suggests women’s war wasn’t all that important.
conclusion
In conclusion women’s contribution to the war effort was the most important reason as to why women gain the vote.
On the one hand although the suffragettes militant campaign gained large Recognition for the suffragettes movement, the women’s war effort was able to give. I’m on a reason to give women the vote without looking like they were giving in suffragettes violent tactics.
On the other hand although the suffragists campaign showed that women were capable of understanding the political system and also helped publicise the women’s movement the women’s war work was able to get more recognition for the movement and success right after the war where women were given the vote in 1918 whereas it took the suffragists 50 years.
Therefore women’s war effort was the most important factor in more important than the militant suffragette campaign and the suffragettes movement in helping women obtain the vote in 1918 because not only did it demonstrate that women were capable just like men to contributing to British society but it also gave the government the opportunity to give women the vote as a reward for their efforts in helping Britain win the war.
