Why some women were given the vote in 1918 Flashcards
How did the position of women change?
By the turn of the century women were beginning to enjoy equal opportunities such as admission to University and entry into profesions such as law and medicine - by the 1901 census there were 335 female doctors.
There were legal developments for women as they were allowed to gain custody of children after divorce and could obtain a separation if their husband was consistently cruel or in prison.
Why was the changing position of women important?
By making advances in education women prove that gaining an education did not destroy their femininity and men could no longer argue that women were not educated enough to vote.
Why was the changing position of women limited?
Women were still expected to leave their jobs when they got married, women were not awarded degrees by universities and there were very few women serving on local councils - 24/11,140.
What was the impact of the women’s sufferage campaign
The NUWSS aimed to gain the vote through peaceful measures although they did not want votes for all women since not all men could vote. They wished for voting rights for housegolders or property occupiers paying rates.
They believed in moderate, peaceful tactics such as meetings, leadlets, petitions and parliamentary bills.
By 1914 they had 53,000 members.
Why was the women’s Sufferage campaign important?
The peaceful nature of their protest led members of the government to accept the idea of women’s suffrage.
Why was the impact of women’s sufferage campaign limited?
By failing to make common ground with the disenfranchised male population they limited the support and authority they could gain, at the time working together would’ve created a larger demand on the government.
Descibe the militant Sufferagettes
The WSPU adopted militant tactics, initially they chained themselves to railings, disrupted public meetings and damaged public property. After 1912 they began their arson campaign by burning their name into turf, setting fire to train stations, cricket pavilions and cutting telephone wires.
Whilst in jail they hunger struck to continue their protest.
Why was the work of militant Sufferagettes important?
They gained publicity due to their law breaking. Their rough treatment gathered media attention across the globe causing many people to feel sympathy for them resulting in people supporting their cause.
Why was the work of militant Sufferagettes limited?
The publicity was often negative which caused people to brand women unfit to vote allowing politicians to use it as an example why women could not be trusted to vote.
Describe the party played by women in the war effort.
Women were essential during the war, they took over jobs in farming, engineering and munitions, jobs previously dominated by men. 700,000 worked in munitions in an environment with explosives and chemicals. Many claim the vote was a reward for their work.
Why was the role of women in the war effort important?
The war could not have been won without the hard effort of women on the home front. By fulfilling these roles they prove that they could adequately work and make decisions with the same capability as men. Many claim the women were rewarded with the vote for their efforts.
Why was the role of women during the war effort limited?
By emphasising the war effort it takes away from pre war progress. Countries such as France did not enfranchise women despite their war effort as there was no suffrage campaign.
Explain the example of other countries
Before the outbreak of the was Austrilia, New Zealand and some American states gave women the vote, many politians did not want to appear to be lagging politically and granted the women the vote to retain their image.
Why was the influence of other countries important?
As UK democracy was progressing pre war the UK wanted to keep up with international trends. As the mother of the Empire it was vital that the UK evolved with global democracy.
