Women and the vote

Question 1

Fear of falling behind

Answer 1

• By 1917, many other countries (US, Finland, New Zealand) extended their franchise to include women
• MPs at the helm of the most democratic nation, wanted to keep up
• MPs used excuse that extending franchise would be disastrous
• However these other countries proved that to be false
• During wartime, Britain would be more focused on war effort rather than the democracies of other countries

Question 2

The Suffragists

Answer 2

• NUWSS, Millicent Fawcett, used peaceful, moderate tactics
• Organised political movement set a good example
• Used pamphlets, organised meetings and held speeches
• Allowed Suffragists to form close bonds with politicians, even future PMs
• Campaign was very slow moving

Question 3

The Suffragettes

Answer 3

• Members of Suffragettes tired with slow pace - Emmeline Pankhurst formed the Suffragettes “deeds not words”
• Created publicity, made topic unavoidable in Parliament
• Marion Dunlop, 1909, prison hunger strike, force fed through tubes
• Created controversy, government had to act quickly to save face
• Government wasn’t keen to give in to ‘terrorism’

Question 4

The Great War

Answer 4

• Both Suffragettes and Suffragists ceased operation during wartime to support Britain - white feather campaign
• Both groups gained respect for this
• Women had to take over from men
• Became crucial to Britain’s success in the war, as a result of their hard work, franchise was extended
• However most workers were in their 20s, not 30s

Question 5

List of factors

Answer 5

Fear of falling behind
Suffragists
Suffragettes
The Great War