Protest Flashcards
When was the Suffragette protest?
1903 - 1914
What were the Suffragettes protesting for?
They wanted the right to vote in the general elections
When and what was the Cat and Mouse Act? [Suffragettes]
Women who became seriously ill from hunger strikes in prison would be sent home. Once they were better they would be re-arrested. This is because PM Asquith was embarrased by the mass hunger strikes.
The Cat and Mouse Act was introduced in 1913.
Who led the Suffragettes(WSPU)?
Emmeline, Cristabel and Sylvia Pankhurst
When and why was the Suffragettes set up?
The WSPU was set up in 1903. This is because some Suffragists(NUWSS) became impatient with the lack of progress via peaceful means. Therefore they formed the Suffragettes which used more militant tactics.
What was the Suffragette motto?
Deeds not words
When were the Suffragists set up and who led them?
1897 by Millicent Fawcett
What and when was ‘Black Friday’? [Suffragettes]
It was on the 18th November 1910 - Asquith abandoned the bill as a result the Suffragettes protested. However they were violently treated by the police after the Government instructed them to frighten and humiliate the Suffragettes.
- 200 were assaulted by police
- 2 women died
What were some of the Suffragette tactics?
- Marches
- Demonstrations
- “Votes for Women” (Actually called ‘The Suffragette’) Newspaper
- Window Smashing
- Attacking property
- Hunger strikes
- Set post boxes alight
- Burn homes of MPs
- Pour acid onto MP golf courses
- Interupt political meetings
How were the Suffragettes organised?
The WSPU had branches all over the country which allowed them to have meetings and so organise mass demonstartions.
However not all of the protest was organised. For example, bombing buildings, destroying letters and Emily Davison’s death were not planned. They were often carried out by individuals or small groups of people.
How did the authorities react to the Suffragettes?
- Cat and Mouse Act 1913
- Force feeding
- “Black Friday”
What part did the media play in the Suffragette protest?
-Suffragettes had their own newpaper called “Votes for Women”
-Death of Emily Davison was used by the Suffragettes to create mass publicity for their cause. They portrayed Emily as a martyr
-Events of Black Friday and the Cat and Mouse Act were exploited by the Suffragettes to get sympathy from the public
-Media would often headline peaceful proccessions
-Media would turn against the Suffragettes when they used violent methods
THE TIMES - Completely against them
Were the Suffragettes successful?
1914 public opinion showed that the people were firmly against them. Furthermore the authorities would not work with them as they were seen as terrorists. They had to stop the protest when the First World War started and help with the war effort.
Some were given the right to vote in 1918 because of their work during the First World War.
When was the General Strike?
4th May to the 12th May 1926
What were the main causes of the General Strike?
- Long term tensions in mining
- A post-war industrial slump
- Dispute between mine owners and unions over the Samuel Commission’s report [Owners wanted to increase the hours and reduce the pay]
- Government called off negoitations with the TUC after workers on the Daily Mail refused to print anti-strike editorial
- Tripe Alliance meant more unions would strike with the miners
Who were part of the Triple Alliance in the General Strike?
The miners, transport workers and railways
How many workers striked in the General Strike?
Over 2.5m in different industries
What was the motto of the General Strike?
Not a penny off the pay, not a minute on the day
Who led the General Strike?
The TUC (Trades Union Congress) led by JH Thomas
What events led to the General Strike?
31st July 1925 - “Red Friday”: Mine owners propsed further cut in wages and extra hours as a result of the pound returning to the gold standard[Made exports expensive]
Government stepped in as fear of revolutions [Communist revolution in Russia 1917]. Paid miners a subsidy for 9 months and had Herbert Samuel write a report on problems in the coal industry. During this time the Government prepared plans in case of a General Strike.
-March 1926 - “Samuel Report”: Reccommened hours stay but pay is cut. Both the owners and the miners reject the proposal.
-27th April - “Strike Organisation Commitee”: TUC plan for national strike hoping the fear of one would push the Government into a solution
-3 - 4th May - Daily Mail: They refuse to print anti-strike newspapers and so the Government cut negotiations with the TUC. This shocks the TUC and they order a General Strike despite no being prepared enough.
What were the tactics of the General Strike?
- They did not work
- Large crowds formed to stop trams from running
- Some buses were attacked
- Local “Action Councils” set up to coordinate pickets and support the strikers
- Pickets were used to prevent lorries from leaving the docks
- Marches