The Reasons for Women Gaining the Franchise Flashcards
Changing Attitudes to Women in Society
K - Changes in the Law, by 1869 some women could vote in local council elections.
K - Growing educational opportunities, higher education in some universities by 1870.
A+ Women could still not be elected in the House of Commons meaning they had no influence over legislation.
E - To evaluate, changing attitudes to women in society were more important than the First World War in gaining women the vote. This is because the War changed the role of women by giving them more opportunities which ultimately changed their status in society. The changes brought about by the war participated in the larger change in attitude towards women which saw them gain better education and become more respected.
Suffragist Movement
K - Peaceful methods such as pamphlets and visiting MPs
K - By 1914 the NUWSS had 50,000 members.
A + However, the suffragist campaign was limited in it’s importance since despite years of campaigning, the Suffragists didn’t manage to significantly influence the Commons until 1914.
E - To evaluate, the suffragist campaign was a significant reason for women gaining the vote. This is because it arguably kickstarted the movement for women’s suffrage. Many MPs and voters discovered the cause due to their large scale and peaceful activism. By 1914 there were over 50,000 people affiliated with the NUWSS and they even visited 10 Downing street. They made women’s suffrage a major political topic in the UK.
Suffragette Movement
K - Violent Methods put pressure on the Government
K - When the suffragettes went on hunger strikes they damaged the Governments reputation as they had to introduce the “Cat and Mouse Act”.
A+ However, the suffragette campaign is limited in it’s importance since the violent methods of the groups resulted in opposition to the movement against MPs and voters who were offended by the violence.
E - To evaluate, the suffragette campaign, although important, was not as significant as the First World War in women gaining suffrage. This is because the government feared giving in to the violent methods used by the suffragettes. The first world war justified giving women the vote as a reward for their contribution. MPs feared that supporting the suffragettes would lead to more violent campaigns.
The First World War
K - Women got jobs traditionally occupied by men, made more money + more important role in society.
K - Their contribution to the munitions industry for example was crucial.
A+ Vote wasn’t given to the women who helped the war effort but rich, property owning women over the age of 30.
E - To, evaluate the First World War was the second most important reason for women gaining the vote. This is because it resulted in a change in attitude towards women and a change in the role of women in society. Author Robert Roberts said that the war “snapped the strings that had bound women in so many ways in the Victorian age”. Women were less likely to be viewed as the property of men, they became respected which justified giving them the vote.
Developments Abroad
K - Countries such as New Zealand and Australia had given women the vote.
K - Britain thought of itself as the “mother of democracy”.
E - To evaluate, developments abroad were the least important reason for Women gaining suffrage. This is because the government could choose to ignore these changes. It was the pressure applied by groups such as the suffragettes which held the government to account and convinced them to grant women suffrage.
