Suffragettes Flashcards
What was the Cat and Mouse Act and when was it passed?
- The Cat and Mouse Act was passed in April 1913.
- Undermined the propaganda effect of force feedings.
- Demoralised WSPU members and damaged Emmeline Pankhurts’ health
When did Emily Davison die?
November 1913 after falling under the king’s horse at the derby.
When was the WSPU founded and what was its’ initial form?
1903
- Autocratic, dominated by Emmeline. Failed as argued for democracy but couldn’t carry it out in their own organisation.
- Started off a working class movement but became elitist.
When did the WSPU adopt a more militant strategy of heckling?
1905 (Christabel disrupted a public meeting)
When did the first hunger strikes and forcible feedings start and what was their effect?
1909
- Showed the extent of self-sacrifice these women were willing to enact in order for change to occur.
- Created media pity for the women.
How did the advent of Prime Minister Lloyd-George in 1916 impact the campaign?
- Lloyd-George supported the movement
- Emmeline and Christabel used their friendship with him to promote suffrage whenever possible.
How did the WSPU’s actions during the First World War impact the campaign?
- Changed the name of their newspaper to Britannia
- By supporting war efforts and disbanding mlitancy they appeared loyal, patriotic and deserving of national respect.
- Direct work to aid the fight as ‘Canaries’ began work in Munitions Factories
- MPs could use the war effort as a pretext for changing their mind and therefore save face at appeasing terrorism.
- Fear of post-war militancy and imprisoning patriots.
How did the coalition government of May 1915 impact the campaign?
- Coalition government declined the importance of party divisions.
- Lloyd-George, a supporter of Women’s Enfranchisement made Prime Minister in 1916.
- Several suffragist MPs were appointed to government posts
What was the international pressure for politicians to enfranchise women?
- Women in New Zealand, Australia, Finland, Norway, Denmark and Canada had already been enfranchised.
- Britain was seen as a leader of freedom and democracy and wanted to uphold that title.
- UK appeared outdated and behind the times of modern societies.
Why was women’s Suffrage dependent on a proper Political Situation?
- Only MPs had the power to pass suffrage making them the only real effective change.
- Asquith wouldn’t let suffage pass and was PM until 1916
- Reflecting of an international trend.
- When the Liberal government became a coalition government, old fears that one party might benefit from women’s suffrage was laid to rest.
How did militancy help the Suffragettes?
- Brought votes for women to public attention.
- From 1905 onward it was impossible to ignore the suffrage movement.
What acts of militancy did the Suffragettes commit
- Initially moderate: Heckling, demonstrations, interrupting meetings. e.g. October 1906 WSPU group broke into HofC and performed speeches.
- Became destructive of property: Window breakings, arson, slates thrown, hacking of paintings.
- Bombed Lloyd-George’s home.
How did militancy damage the campaign?
- The government couldn’t possibly give in to female militancy as it would be seen as too weak.
- Government was thus only able to enfranchise them after their 1914-1918 peaceful/patriotic nature.
What was the November 1910 ‘Black Friday’?
A protest march to the House of Commons which resulted in police brutality and violence.
