The Era Of The Great War #17: Extension Of The Franchise

Question 1

Why did the suffragettes gain a lot of support during WW1?

Answer 1

By calling off their campaigns

Question 2

What did militant acts such as the Glasgow Rent Strikes remind the government?

Answer 2

Women could resume their pre-war campaigning if ignored

Question 3

Before the war, what had happened to suffrage campaigns?

Answer 3

The had gradually gained momentum

Question 4

What was the significance of the fact that their was a gradual widening of the franchise to men?

Answer 4

It was only a matter of time until women were enfranchised

Question 5

What swayed most anti-suffrage MPs, including ex-PM Asquith?

Answer 5

Women’s wartime work

Question 6

What did Asquith say regarding women’s wartime work?

Answer 6

“How could we have carried on the war without them?”

Question 7

When was the Representation of the People Act?

Answer 7

1918

Question 8

Terms of the Representation of the People Act

Answer 8

• All men over 21 were given the vote
• Women over 30 were given the vote
• Women over 21 who owned their homes, were married to householders, or were university graduates were given the vote

Question 9

Overall, how many women became eligible to vote as a result of the ROTPA?

Answer 9

2million

Question 10

How many people did the ROTPA enfranchise altogether?

Answer 10

8 million

Question 11

When did all women over 21 finally get the vote?

Answer 11

1928

Question 12

How many women stood as candidates in the 1918 general election?

Answer 12

17

Question 13

Who was the only woman to be elected as an MP in 1918?

Answer 13

Countess Constance Markievicz

Question 14

Why did Countess Constance Markievicz not take her seat?

Answer 14

• she was a Sinn Fein member
• this party wanted to unite Ireland, so she did not take her seat to oppose imperialism

Question 15

Pre enfranchisement, what could women vote in?

Answer 15

• school boards
• munciple (local) elections ONLY!! if they payed tax (rates)

Question 16

How many women could vote by 1914?

Answer 16

1million

Question 17

From when did girls have to attend primary school in Scotland?

Answer 17

1872

Question 18

By 1914, what age were girls educated to in Scotland?

Answer 18

14

Question 19

What was the 1889 Universities (Scotland) Act?

Answer 19

It allowed universities to admit women on equal terms to men

Question 20

When was the Universities (Scotland) Act?

Answer 20

1889

Question 21

What was the pay difference between men and women for the same job in 1900?

Answer 21

Up to 40%

Question 22

What was the norm for women in the early 1900s?

Answer 22

To give up their job once they were married