The extent of the WSPU's success by 1914

Question 1

WSPU failed to attract a broader support base as…

Answer 1

• Majority of people either opposed female suffrage, or supported female suffrage - no ambiguous middle ground
• Most supporters were concerned about the radical, militant WSPU tactics - actual result of the WSPU remained small

Question 2

What is evidence that militant tactics weren’t received well?

Answer 2

• By 1913 NUWSS membership had grown to 50,000 members
• Whilst WSPU never reached a membership of more than 2,000

Question 3

Who did militant actions deter?

Answer 3

• Reduced support among traditionalist middle and upper classes

Question 4

Why was the WSPU only really appealing to upper and middle classes a huge tactical error?

Answer 4

• Working classes felt excluded - large contingency were ready to support - yet not appealed to
• Movement was appealing to those with property and status

Question 5

How was Emmeline Pankhurst’s stubborn nature extremely counter productive?

Answer 5

• Kept the WSPU focused on the one issue - alienated support which could have made the WSPU a mass movement

Question 6

How did the WSPU alienate male support?

Answer 6

• Was organised and led by women, little involvement by men
• This alienated much needed male support

Question 7

How did the WSPU alienate political allies?

Answer 7

• Militant activities deterred politicians from supporting the movement
• E.g. Lloyd George - sympathized and later led the 1918 Representation of the People Act, had his speeches interrupted and his house bombed

Question 8

How did militancy generate support?

Answer 8

• Attracted publicity and made headlines which spiked public interest
• Increased attention led more women to join the WSPU and NUWSS

Question 9

How did the WSPU negatively impact women’s suffrage?

Answer 9

• Public criticism for the militancy
• Labour MP lost by election in which he had been funded by the WSPU to a conservative opponent in a working-class area which always voted labour - men felt alienated by WSPU

Question 10

What is evidence that increased militancy deterred politicians supporting the bill?

Answer 10

• In 1897, 1904, 1907 and 1911, bills featuring female suffrage had passed their second reading with significant majorities due to increased acceptance by MPs
• But following increased militancy the 1912 bill was thrown out 208 to 22 - suggesting that the WSPU had damaged the goodwill