WOMENS RIGHT TO VOTE Flashcards
Background Knowledge
Long term campaign which had met opposition from many men and Queen Victoria who called enfranchising women as “that mad wicked folly”
Under the 1918 Representation of the People Act only 30 year olds and over who were household or married to a household owner and or graduated from University were given the right to vote.
Changing Attitudes to Women in Society
KU
Several Laws were passed between 1873 and 1893 that the social position of women improved. The Infant Custody Act gave mothers increased rights over their children, even to the extent of allowing some mothers custody of their children after conviction for adultery.
The Women`s property Act of 1882 and 1893 granted women full legal control of all property they had owned at marriage or that they had gained after marriage by their own earnings or through inheritance.
An Women were no longer being seen as a second class citizen and property and now had similar rights to men.
Bal
despite these social changes occurring in the late 19th century, it would be several decades before the Representation of the People Act would give some women the ability to vote in 1918 so it’s just that the legal changes were all back in the 1870-90s but the voting rights were 1918
The work of the Suffragists
KU
In 1897 several local womens suffrage societies united to form the National Union of Womens Suffrage Societies under the Leadership of Millicent Fawcett.
The NUWSS adopted the tactics of “Peaceful persuasion”. Peaceful tactics to win votes, this consisted of campaign meetings, petitions, pamphlets. PM Campbell Bannerman agreed with the Suffragists. They also created parliamentary bills in order for the backbenchers to introduce bills calling for female suffrage.
AN
High ranking government officials had now acknowledged that females could also hold high ranking positions such as lawyers and there was little dislike for them as they were using peaceful tactics.
BAL They could be ignored very easily as not being important enough. Also they only campaigned on behalf of a specific group of females. those in middle class and upper-class.
The work of the Suffragettes
KU
WSPU was founded in 1903 by Emmeline Pankhurst and her two daughters. They had the motto of deeds not words and they adopted militant tactics.
There were many famous members such as Emily Davison who was a martyr after having lost her life in 1913 at Epsom Derby when she ran in front of the King`s horse. It was unknown if she had meant to be struck down by the horse or if she just wanted to put a banner on the horse bearing the movements colours.
AN
it made the general public aware of the Suffragettes movement and the militant acts may have pressured the government into action. The death of Emily Davison showed the dedication of the Suffragettes and their capabilities in marketing as they were able to gain a large following of women who were willing to sacrifice themselves for the cause.
BAL
of the death of Emily Davison further reinforced the belief that Women were emotionally unstable therefore it is likely that it slowed women gaining the right to vote and negatively impacted both the Suffragettes and the Suffragists. It is also believed that the Suffragists were the reason why women gained the vote and that the militant actions of the Suffragettes were without result and meaningless.
The War Work
KU
200,000 Women found work in the government during the war doing clerical work, also many women found themselves being bus conductors and train conductors.
Over 700,000 women were working in manufacturing munitions.
AN
it showed that they were capable of handling jobs that were solely done by men prior to the war, and the vote may have been given as a reward for their work during the war.
BAL
it would allow the government to give women the right to vote without admitting they were wrong about women not deserving the vote, this was an idea put across by Arthur Balfour the conservative leader, the war “gave a very good excuse to a large number of excellent people, who had up to that time, been on the wrong side to change their minds.”
The example of other countries.
KU
During the 19th century, Britain saw itself as the ‘cradle of democracy’ and one of the most politically advanced societies in the world. However, more democratic nations around the world had declared women`s suffrage much earlier on. For example New Zealand in 1893, Australia in 1902 and Norway in 1907
AN
The fact that women had been enfranchised abroad, particularly in colonies like New Zealand, may have added pressure to politicians and certainly given hope and renewed enthusiasm to the suffrage campaigns and this may have led to some women gaining the vote in 1918.
BAL
there exists no evidence to say that foreign influence played any part in the government’s decision to extend the franchise in 1918 and no evidence to say it was even discussed by MPs in parliament
The example of other countries.
KU
During the 19th century, Britain saw itself as the ‘cradle of democracy’ and one of the most politically advanced societies in the world. However, more democratic nations around the world had declared women`s suffrage much earlier on. For example New Zealand in 1893, Australia in 1902 and Norway in 1907
AN
The fact that women had been enfranchised abroad, particularly in colonies like New Zealand, may have added pressure to politicians and certainly given hope and renewed enthusiasm to the suffrage campaigns and this may have led to some women gaining the vote in 1918.
BAL
there exists no evidence to say that foreign influence played any part in the government’s decision to extend the franchise in 1918 and no evidence to say it was even discussed by MPs in parliament
