Suffragette Assessment Flashcards
Who Were The Suffragists
The Suffragists (made in 1897) collected petitions, wrote to Parliament and went on Marches. They were a non-militant group of protesters. By 1905, they had got nowhere, but the had now gathered the people to start a campaign with.
Who were the Suffragettes?
The Suffragette broke off from the Suffragists in 1905, and adapted a more militant stance (led by Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters, Christabel and Sylvia) and adopted the motto of ‘deeds not words’. They did publicity stunts do get the Votes for Women campaign noticed and went on hunger strike whenever they went to prison, meaning they got let out, and committed more offences.
What Stunts did the Suffragette perform?
They did things that would guarantee them a place in the newspaper. This included things such as:
- Disrupting Political Meetings
- Chaining themselves onto railings in Downing Street
- Pelting Politicians with eggs and flour
- Smashing Parliament’s windows with stones
- Setting Fire to Churches and Railway Stations
- Poring acid on golf courses
- Pulling Publicity Stunts
What did they do when sent to Prison?
When the Suffragette were sent to Prison, they went on a hunger strike and refused to eat, until they got into such a state, that they were released to gain their strength back and recover. After this, they’d immediately do something again, and went back to prison, and the cycle started again. Eventually, they were force-fed.
Why were the Suffragette starting to loose support?
People became scared of their violent attack, whilst other turned away from them, as it got to a stage where nobody knew what was coming next, and their acts today, would be described as terrorism. At this point, people didn’t want them rewarded for their awful behaviour.
What happened at the breakout of WW1?
In 1914, war broke out with Germany and all the men had set off to war. With many leaving as soldiers, women got the chance to do jobs that they’d never done before, including bus drivers, milk deliverers, police officers and car mechanics. Some went off to work in Munition Factories.
Why did Women eventually get the Right to Vote?
- After the War, people’s attitudes had started to change, which then happened. People were open to change
- The people were so relieved and united, they gave women the vote anyway
- Due to the women’s vital part in the war effort, they were seen as strong enough to vote
- They saw that the women had brought up these men that served the country at war, and felt like they had served the country by doing this
- Britain needed as many happy people as possible after the war and could’ve felt that the Suffragette could’ve fought back worse again
- There was always going to be National change after a War
- They shown immense loyalty to their country to stop their campaign and to totally dedicate the selves to serving the country.
Role of the Suffragists
The Suffragists were i portant in the fact that they got the word out to the women who noticed, which eventually laid the foundations for bigger and better things for Women. This group marked the start of something big.
Role of the Suffragettes
The Suffragettes then went out and basically got the word out to people and made it very obvious that change was needed, and that they weren’t going to stop or give up until the got what they wanted. They mounted pressure on the Public and Parliament, or things would’ve got messy.
Who was Emily Davison?
Emily Davison was a Suffragette that massively believed in deeds not words, so when the day of the Epsom Derby (in 1913) came around, she saw this a big opportunity to pull a publicity stunt, as this was one of the most anticipated events of the year.
What did Emily Davison do?
Emily Davison had planned to put a banner on the Kings Horse which promoted ‘Votes for All’, and the ideal situation would’ve been for the horse to go over the line as the winner with this banner presented on it. However, something very different ended up happening, as she got knocked off by the horse and was severely injured and eventually killed by the tragic accident of getting killed by the King’s Horse. (At the Epsom Derby in 1913)
Evidence to show that Emily Davison did try to kill herself:
- She said she’d never surrender and never give up the fight’.
- She didn’t attempt to move out of the horse’s way went it was clearly about to hit her
- She purposely positioned herself next to the cameras, so this would get recorded.
- She stood where she had a clear line of sight on the horse
- She was extremely committed to the cause of ‘deeds not words’
- She had previously tried to kill herself many times before
Evidence to show that Emily Davison didn’t try to kill herself:
- It is thought that she attempted to do something before the race and this was her last resort
- She had a clear view and a clear motive of what she wanted (with the banner) and it was an accident
- She underestimated the horse’s power and speed and only though that she’d come off mildly injured
- She had previously obstructed a road before and survived and could’ve been trying the same thing with the horse race
- She said she only wanted to die after she’d written a farewell message to her mother
- She put her hands up to try and stop the horse at the last second
- She brought a return train ticket home and intended on returning
- She said she would got the the Suffragette Summer Festival everyday, except for the day or the Derby (which was the day after).
Why did the Suffragists change their Tactics?
The Suffragist changed tactics, as they was no change in public opinions, or any responses from anyone or Parliament, and they were pretty much getting nowhere, so ended up changing their stance.
Why were only Women over 30 allowed the Vote?
There are a few reasons why:
- It was only felt that women at this age deserved, as they would’ve been old enough to raise the generation of soldiers that won them the war.
- They only felt that the older adults actually made a difference in the war effort with work e.c.t
- If all women had the vote, there would’ve been more women voters than me, and this would’ve seemed an outrage!
- They felt that older women were likely to be married and would voting the same as her husband, as to be able to vote, they had to meet a property qualification, in most cases meaning they live with their husband.
