WSPU (1903-14) Flashcards
Name the 5 leading Suffragists & Suffragettes
- Lydia Becker (NUWSS)
- Millicent Fawcett (NUWSS leader)
- Emmeline Pankhurst
- Christabel Pankhurst
- Sylvia Pankhurst
in ____, the NUWSS had _____ members, compared with the WSPU’s _____ members
- in 1913, the NUWSS had 50,000 members, compared with the WSPU’s 2,000 members
between ______, ______ ______ was not debated once within the HoC
- between 1886-92, women’s suffrage was not debated once within the HoC
the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies (NUWSS) was formed in _____
- the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies (NUWSS) was formed in 1897
the WSPU was founded in ____ in __________
- the WSPU was founded in 1903 in Manchester
“the WSPU wanted not votes for ______, but votes for ____ (M/C)”
- “the WSPU wanted not votes for women, but votes for ladies (M/C)”
______ ______ in Hyde park was attended by _____ people in ____
- Women’s Sunday in Hyde park was attended by 300,000 people in 1908
the WSPU … in 1905, which resulted in … due to its rejection
- the WSPU sent a petition to parliament in 1905, which resulted in increased militancy due to its rejection
the government passed the _____________ in _____, which put a stop to …
- the government passed the Cat & Mouse Act in 1913, which put a stop to force feeding in prisons
What took place in March 1914
- 4 major arson attacks on homes, churches and pavilions
Charlotte Despard & Teresa Billington-Greig (WFL) took ___ of WSPU members with them in _
- Charlotte Despard & Teresa Billington-Greig (WFL) took 1/5 of WSPU members with them in 1907
before ____, _ Tory conferences voted in favour of female suffrage. was against it in _______
- before 1911, 6 Tory conferences voted in favour of female suffrage. was against it in 1912-13
How many splits were there in the WSPU
- 7
In ____, Sylvia published …
- In 1911, Sylvia published The Suffragette: The History of the Women’s Militant Suffrage Movement
suffragette _____ _____ in ____ alienated moderate supporters
- suffragette arson attacks in 1913 alienated moderate supporters
the ___ ______ _____ was rejected by __ votes
- the 1912 Conciliation Bill was rejected by 12 votes
- in feb ____, WSPU + NUWSS took part in ____ _____; a large protest coinciding with the opening of __________
- in feb 1907, WSPU + NUWSS took part in Mud March; a large protest coinciding with the opening of Parliament
____ ____ ____: wrote in the journal ‘____ ___ ____’ in ____ that “nothing but militant action is left to us now”
- Emmeline Pethick Lawerence: wrote in the journal ‘Votes For Women’ in 1908 that “nothing but militant action is left to us now”
in _____, suffragettes were arrested for throwing stones through the windows of __ ______ _____
- in 1909, suffragettes were arrested for throwing stones through the windows of 10 Downing Street
from ____: WSPU’s militancy became more ______
- from 1912: WSPU’s militancy became more extreme
____: when war broke out, Pankhurst called a ceasefire to the _______ ______ in a demonstration of _______
- 1914: when war broke out, Pankhurst called a ceasefire to the militant campaigns in a demonstration of patriotism
______ was reluctant to give women the vote as it would increase ‘______’
- Gladstone was reluctant to give women the vote as it would increase ‘faddism’ in politics
- faddism = diff groups determined to promote their diff interests
WSPU violence led the Govt debating if … to …
- WSPU violence led the Govt debating if they should give women the vote to how to deal with the WSPU violence
between ______, the NUWSS grew their branches from __ to __
- between 1902-06, the NUWSS grew their branches from 17 to 31
the work of the ______ ensured that the HoC included ____ MPs committed to female suffrage
- the work of the NUWSS ensured that the HoC included 415 MPs committed to female suffrage
outline the 1910/ 1st Conciliation Bill
- gave suffrage to wealthy women (female householders + business occupants) - only 1 million W
- WSPU response: Christabel denounced the bill, riot in PLT square (300 W arrested)
- bill passed 2nd reading by 100 votes but Asquith declared no time to debate, so failed
outline the 1911 private bill
- gave suffrage to wealthy women (female householders + business occupants) - only 1 million W
- whilst debating, WSPU carried out window smashing
- Llyod George announced opposition - feared it would create thousands of Conservative voters - the bill was dropped
outline the 1912/ 3rd Conciliation Bill
- gave suffrage to wealthy women (female householders + business occupants) - only 1 million W
- WSPU continued with aggressive militant activities - alienated MPs + undermined Ws credibility
- defeated by 14 votes; over 200 previous supporters either voted against, abstained - e.g. with Asquith’s persuasion, Irish MPs voted against (in exchange for Libs support for Home Rule)
why did the 1912 CB fail
- WSPU violence undermined women’s credibility - made them appear irresponsible, too reckless - Govt didnt want to legitimise violence by passing bill
- Asquith persuaded Irish MPs to drop female suffrage bill for his support on the Irish Home Rule
there was a belief that the vote was a _____ not a _____
- there was a belief that the vote was a responsibility not a right - women had to prove their respectability for the vote
outline the 1913 Conciliation Bill
- was proposed to remove ‘male’ from the bill - thus including women
- there was much opposition in Parliament - e.g. from Asquith
WSPU violence undermined the NUWSS’ argument hat women were _____ _____ and so deserve the vote
- WSPU violence undermined the NUWSS’ argument hat women were morally superior and so deserve the vote
in ____ WSPU had _ branches, in ____ it had ____; shows rapid growth in support
- in 1906 WSPU had 3 branches, in 1911 it had 122; shows rapid growth in support
up to ____, there was very little to distinguish the NUWSS from the WSPU
- up to 1908, there was very little to distinguish the NUWSS from the WSPU
what did Asquith say in 1918 when discussing the womens vote
- ‘the absence of that detestable campaign which disfigured political agitation’
- the absence of suffragette violence meant PLT could now seriously consider the issue of female suffrage
outline the Mud March
- in 1907
- attracted 3,000 supporters + positive media coverage of determination of women
- was a march through the poor weather conditions (hence ‘mud’ march)
between -, women’s suffrage wasnt debated once within the HofC
- between 1886-92, women’s suffrage wasnt debated once within the HofC
outline the NUWSS’s tactic of political lobbying + alliances
- they strategically helped elect MPs who supported women’s suffrage, increasing pressure on PLT
- their moderate + rational approach earned respect + credibility among politicians
what were 3 arguments in support of women getting the vote
- Britain couldn’t call itself a true democracy/ ‘mother of democracy’ when majority of the population was disenfranchised
- women were already participating successfully in party politics
- it would be restoring an old right; abbesses (heads of nunneries) could own land +vote
what were 3 arguments in opposition to women getting the vote
- it was God’s wish that men should rule and women be governed - politics was a male sphere
- women were intellectually inferior + unstable as their brains weighed less + were guided by their wombs
- giving women the vote would lead them to neglect their familial + domestic responsibilities
outline improvements in the role of women by 1903
- W began to engage in political parties + the Independent Labour party attracted large numbers of female activists by 1900 - the example of Butler in the LNA
- by 1895, abused W had to right to divorce
- the Govt made it compulsory for all boys + girls to be in education until 13 years
outline continuity in the role of women by 1903
- no political party would adopt W’s suffrage as an official policy
- between 1886-92, women’s suffrage wasn’t debated once
what were 3 areas of disagreement between female suffrage campaigners
- whether all women should get the vote - or just single or MC women
- whether to affiliate with the Liberal party
- if they should try to gain support from people of all political parties - or just Liberals
outline 3 examples of disagreements between female suffrage campaigners
- there was conflict between the Pankhurst’s + Lydia Becker for their militant behaviour
- due to disagreements over joining the Liberal Party, the suffrage movement divided into the Central National Society for Women’s Suffrage (CNS) and the National Society for Women’s Suffrage (NSWS) - headed by Lydia Becker + Millicent Fawcett
- Fawcett wanted to gain support from all political parties - not just Liberals
outline the extent of support as a reason for the failure of the Suffragist campaign
- anti suffragists claimed the movement represented a small, untypical minority of MC W - large W’s organisations didn’t support W getting the vote - e.g. Mothers’ Union
- many prominent female figures also didn’t support the movement - e.g. Florence Nightingale + Queen Victoria (was hostile) - damaged the credibility of the movement
outline working class women’s extent of support for the Suffragist campaign
- in the 1890s, there were moves in industrial areas to build a suffragist campaign - this would be relevant to working women
- the suffragists achieved some success in building a movement of WC women - e.g. in Lancashire cotton towns
- Suffragists in Bristol also attempted to link the trade union struggles of women workers in the years with the establishment of the National Union of Working Women
- it became the first women’s union to gain admittance to the Trades Union Congress (TUC)
outline male attitudes as a reason for the failure of the Suffragist campaign
- men of all classes + political persuasions were unwilling to abandon the notion of ‘separate spheres’ - it united Gladstone (Lib) + Curzon (Tory)
- Gladstone published a pamphlet in 1892 called ‘Female Suffrage’, it argued that W were indifferent to the vote
- hostility to greater equality was evident among WC men - their attitudes reflected in the Labour movement
- doctors were also prepared to argue that W were unsuitable for the vote as they were prone to emotional hysteria
outline tactical difficulties as a reason for the failure of the Suffragist campaign
- the votes for women movement was faced with the dilemma of which women should qualify for the vote
- for men, the vote was granted on a step by step basis, based on the concept of property interests being represented
- thus, some suffragists argued asking for the vote for all W would be over ambitious and to limit their demand to the vote for W ‘on the same terms as M’
- the movement was then accused of only being concerned with the interests of wealthy W
- by not calling for a democratic franchise for all, they lost the chance to broaden their campaign to WC women + men
outline party politics as a reason for the failure of the Suffragist campaign
- political parties/ their expediency played a role in the lack of legislation granting W the vote
- the maj of MPs who supported W’s suffrage were Libs who believed female voters would be supporters of temperance reform (alcohol sale restriction), social reform - overall issues that were associated with the Lib party
- Gladstone was reluctant to grant W the vote as he thought it would increase ‘faddism’ in his party (many different groups promoting their interests)
- after 1886, there was the issue of Irish Home Rule that caused a major split in the Liberal party - leading to Conservatives heading Govt for the next 20 years
what were the pros of Suffragette violence
- NUWSS membership rose
- more publicity on the movement
- expanded the NUWSS branches
- increased circulation of suffragette newspapers
what were the cons of Suffragette violence
- led to divisions within the movement
- decreased number of MPs willing to support female suffrage
- decreased national/ public support
- alienated WC men who had previously supported the movement
- the Govt debate went from if they should give W the vote, to how to deal with Suffragette violence
what is a private members bill
- a bill introduced for debate in the HofC by an individual MP, and so isnt part of Govts planned legislation
between -, the NUWSS had grown rapidly, increasing their number of national branches from _ to _
- between 1902-06, the NUWSS had grown rapidly, increasing their number of national branches from 17 to 31
outline the NUWSS’s early work in PLT
- the NUWSS worked to ensure that local political associations only selected candidates who pledged to W’s suffrage
- the work of the NUWSS ensued that the HofC included 415 MPs supporting female suffrage after the 1906 election
how would you describe the early campaign of the NUWSS in the early 20th century
- focused
- politically-savy
- pragmatic (practical)
how did the Liberal Govt under Asquith respond to the early campaign of women’s suffrage
- the Lib Govt under Asquith had to respond to the campaign for W’s suffrage as the movement was gaining more support - esp between 1909-13
- thus, in these years, a series of measures giving W the vote were debated in PLT - however several political obstacles prevented any success
what were the 3 political obstacles preventing success of measures debated giving W the vote
1) Asquith was personally opposed to female suffrage
2) 1910 constitutional crisis: maj of Conservative Lords blocked Libs 1909 budget - led to Asquith’s lack of support for CBs
3) disagreements over what form female suffrage would take
- on top of these reasons, WSPU’s increased use of violence left many supporting MPs disillusioned + unwilling to support legislation granting W the vote
outline the 1909 Women’s Suffrage Bill
- introduced through being a private members bill introduced by Liberal MP
- gave vote to men and women based on 3 month residential qualification
- WSPU response: disliked by Christabel + Fawcett - believed full adult suffrage was unpractical + represents a govt attempt to introduce a measure so radical it would never pass
- carried on to 2nd reading but failed to proceed
- it didn’t pass as it ran out of debate time + Asquith opposed the bill
why did PM Asquith oppose female suffrage
- reluctant to allow militancy to dictate Govt policy
- agitation wasn’t the same as public opinion
- his wife + daughter opposed suffrage - reinforced his view that only extreme W wanted the vote
- he was distracted by other issues - e.g. Irish Home Rule, social reform, HofL
- afraid of too much change quickly
- HIS OPPOSITION TO F SUFFRAGE OUTDATES MILITANCY
outline the 1913 Government Franchise Bill
- this bill would have given the vote to all working class men, some MPs proposed an amendment that would remove the word ‘male’ from the bill - meaning working class women would have also been include
- the WSPU responded violently (e.g. arson attacks) due to Asquith’s refusal to draft a replacement bill with that amendment
outline Asquith’s opposition to female suffrage
- he undermined legislative attempts to enfranchise women
- he didn’t understand why W wanted vote - saw female militant protesters as unnatural, personal attacks threatened his resolve (neg view of movement)
outline the role of Emmeline Pankhurst in the suffragette movement
- Emmeline provided the movement with a magnetism that attracted many dedicated W to the movement
- she took the role of ‘dictators’ who led an undemocratic movement of followers who ‘worshipped’ them
- she had a political background in the ILP + Women’s Franchise League
- ## she was an autocratic leader + made majority of decisions
outline the role of Christabel Pankhurst in the suffragette movement
- Christabel kept the party focused on F suffrage by opposing efforts of other members to involve the WPSU in different campaigns - e.g. health for WC women
- she was crucial in maintaining militancy
- she was radical from the start; in 1905 was arrested for disrupting a Lib meeting - she chose prison over a fine - led to inc public support
what convinced Christabel Pankhurst to start militancy
- they saw the impact of violence/ disturbances on the Govt by the unemployed from which resulted in an unemployment bill
- showed that militant action could push the Govt into action
what did Emmeline + Christabel Pankhurst achieve as leaders
- they made the suffragette movement into an effective political force
- they brought female suffrage to Govt attention
outline evidence that the leadership of Emmeline + Christabel Pankhurst wasn’t successful
- Charlotte Despard + Teresa Billington-Greig left the WSPU to form a more WC, Labour movement
- there were 7 splits in the WSPU
- the Pethwick-Lawerences were banned from the WSPU in Oct 1912
outline the role of Sylvia Pankhurst in the suffragette movement
- she originally worked in the WSPU, designing banners, posters + flags for the movement
- Sylvia published ‘The Suffragette: …’ - this outlined the actions of the WSPU
- she supported the militant campaigns + was arrested 8 times in 1913-14, as well as 1913 where she participated in hunger strikes
- she never fully approved of the escalating militancy after 1908 + failed to get Em and Chr to moderate their tactics
- she kept a close relation with the Labour Party + Keir Hardie and disliked her family’s neglect of WC women
- she left the WSPU in 1913 to form the East London Federation of Suffragettes - this brought WC support to the movement
what did Sylvia do in 1913
- in 1913, Sylvia had been arrested 3 times, going on hunger strikes as she recognised the political value of imprisonment + force feedings
what was the role of Emily Davison in the suffragette movement
- Davison infamously jumped/ collided with the King’s horse - killing herself; her death was used for publicity + she was seen as a martyr
- her role in the movement emphasises the role of individual, autonomous militant protesters - she told no one about her plan - no one knew her motive
- exemplifies the lack of control from Em + Chr Pankhurst over their movement/ militancy
outline evidence that the leadership of the WSPU hindered rather than helped the female suffrage movement
- 1907: 70 WSPU members left to form the WFL - even Sylvia left/ was expelled
- leadership was very authoritarian - took no debate/ discussion from other members - this was criticised
- WSPU leaders were ‘elitist’; they were mostly affluent, MC, had to be financially independent as the movement relied on unpaid work - movement lacked broad + unified support
- EP + CP lacked ideas on how to influence govt when it was considering giving the vote between 1909-14 + by 1914, WSPU had run out of ideas + steam
outline evidence that the leadership of the WSPU helped rather than hindered the female suffrage movement
- EP gave strong direction to the movement + took a direct role in deciding tactics - e.g. personally led marches and protests + decided men would have limited roles within WSPU
- EP was an impressive orator - motivated crowds
- EP + CP’s decision to adopt militant tactics at first was v successful as it enabled rapid growth + Govt consideration for F suffrage
- many suffragettes spoke of how much they had learnt about public speaking + political awareness from WSPU leaders
outline the formation of the NUWSS
- formed in 1897 by Millicent Fawcett
- unified many different groups campaigning for female suffrage
what was Emmeline Pankhurst’s political background prior to the WSPU
- she had been involved in campaigning with the Independent Labour Party (ILP), but became frustrated at the lack of progress
- she also formed the Women’s Franchise League in 1889 which achieved some success at local level
what level of the vote did the WSPU seek to have for women
- WSPU sought female suffrage on an equal basis to men
- as only 30% of men could vote at this point, they aimed to get the vote for MC women of wealth
outline the WSPU’s pressure of the ILP
- the Pankhurst’s were concerned that the ILP wasn’t concentrated enough on female suffrage
- Kier Hardie (Labour’s leader) did support the WSPUs policies, but their focus on suffrage for MC women divided support in the Labour party
outline the early tactics of the WSPU (1903-08)
their initial tactics were constitutional + conservative:
- the WSPU published a journal, ‘The Suffragette’ featuring articles for their cause
- took part in marches - e.g. Mud March 1907, with green + purple ribbons and banners
- heckling ministers at public meetings
- their movement resembled the NUWSS’ until 1908 - the radical aspect of the WSPU was in its infancy
- a key new tactic in 1908 was hunger strikes by imprisoned women
outline the WSPU’s increased militancy (1909-10)
- from 1909, tactics took a militant direction
- Emmeline Pethwick-Lawerence: ‘nothing but militant action is left for us now’
- CP led attacks on property in 1909 - e.g. throwing stones through windows of social clubs + 10 Downing Street
- from 1909, hunger strikes became more serious as prisons began force feedings - made hunger strikes a more effective tactic for public attention
what was Emmeline Pethwick-Lawerence’s famous quote
- Emmeline Pethwick-Lawerence wrote in the journal ‘Votes for Women’ “nothing but militant action is left for us now”
what is Black Friday
- took place on Nov 1910
- 300 suffragettes march to HofC
- Emmeline + Christabel Pankhurst were arrested violently outside Parliament
outline the WSPU’s temporary pause in 1911-12
- in 1911: Govt suggested a law giving wealthy women the vote (conciliation bill)
- the WSPU paused their tactics to allow parliamentary allies a chance to push it through
- however it still failed due to lack of parliamentary time
- the Lib Govt announced a new bill giving male suffrage with the possibility of considering female franchise - WSPU felt betrayed + returned to more militant campaigning
outline the WSPU’s new period of militancy in 1912-14
- from 1912, WSPU tactics became more militant:
- they attacked London properties of value - e.g. 1913 bombing of Lloyd George’s house
- slashed a famous painting in the national gallery (‘Slasher Mary’)
- Emily Davison throwing herself in front of the Kings horse
- hunger strikes in jail
- this increased militancy reduced public support as the violence no longer seemed reasonable
- it also caused divisions within the WSPU movement - EP commonly expelled those who disagreed with militancy - e.g. her other daughter Sylvia
outline the formation of the WSPU
- formed in 1903
- formed by Emmeline + her daughter Christabel Pankhurst
- moved from Manchester to London to be more involved in the political atmosphere
outline the WSPU’s ceasefire in 1914
- in 1914, when WW1 broke out, EP called a ceasefire to militant campaigns in demonstration of patriotism - e.g. The Suffragette was renamed The Britannia
outline the general Conservative Party’s attitudes to female suffrage/ the WSPU
- most Cons MPs were hostile to F suffrage; but many saw the potential for property owning W as potential for Cons party voters
outline the general Liberal Party’s attitudes to female suffrage/ the WSPU
- majority of Lib MPs were either supportive of/ open to consider F suffrage
- however, they were opposed to faddism, which would happen if W got the vote
- also, if W were given the vote on the same basis as M, they would likely vote for Conservatives
- Asquith (Lib leader) opposed F suffrage
- only from 1916, when Lloyd George was Lib PM, did the Libs have a leader who genuinely wanted F suffrage
outline the general Labour Party’s attitudes to female suffrage/ the WSPU
- Labour party did support F suffrage, but wouldn’t focus on it individually than universal suffrage for all classes - this led to an unstable relationship w WSPU
outline the Govts initial relaxed stance to increased militancy of WSPU
- initially, the govt took a relaxed stance to the movement - freedom of political expression had become an expectation by late 19th century
how did the govt become increasingly strict with militancy
- increased arrests: police broke up protests + increasingly arrested protesters
- some women fought back - providing the govt with a challenge; they didn’t want to spur the image of W being physically restrained by police/ police brutality which wouldn’t look good for authorities
- with fines + short prison sentences, courts managed to limit the effect of protests in terms of publicity
how did govt deal with hunger strikes
- hunger strikes were one of the biggest challenges for the govt from 1912
- these led to prison doctors force feeding restrained prisoners through tubes pushed down their throats
- this further painted the image of authorities as mistreating suffrage campaigners
- the Cat and Mouse 1913 was made which allowed prison to release W who sties had endangered their health, since they’d be too weak to be a danger, they’d then be rearrested immediately if reoffending
- this reduced publicity on the treatment of prisoners + prevented any deaths in prison/ martyrs
outline support + lack of support for the WSPU
- WSPU supporters saw militancy as necessary
- from 1880s, there had been individual W who acted relatively militant - e.g. refusing to pay taxes
- these W argued that earlier democratic reform turning points - e.g. 1832 GRA, was made possible by violent protests
- BUT, the WSPU failed to attract a broader support basis - maj of Britain wither opposed F suffrage or opposed WSPUs militancy
outline the reasons for limited WSPU support
- militant tactics reduced support from MC/ UC
- the WSPU was seen as a M/UC movement by the WC - alienated potential mass support from WC; it was only when Sylvia formed her break away group in 1913 that the WSPU gained limited WC support
- there was little involvement of men in the WSPU - alienated male supporters
- Pankhurst’s’ autocratic leadership style held them back - put off those who favoured a democratic approach
- they alienated potential supporters - e.g. Lloyd George, a Lib who supported F suffrage who had his speeches interrupted + house bombed by suffragettes
the WSPU never reached a membership of more than _, whereas the NUWSS had grown to over _
- the WSPU never reached a membership of more than 2,000, whereas the NUWSS had grown to over 50,000
outline evidence against the success of the WSPU
- arguably, the WSPU did more damage than good to the cause of F suffrage
- WSPU marches + protests were met by anti-suffrage violence - it was increasingly dangerous to give public speeches
- was increasing public criticism of the movement; e.g. a Labour MP lost a by-election to a Cons MP in an area which always voted Labour, as the men there felt alienated by WSPU
- the bills featuring F suffrage prior to militancy (1897, 1904, 1907 + 1911) all passed to their 2nd readings - following WSPU militancy, the pass votes dramatically declined
outline evidence of success of the WSPU
- militancy attracted publicity + made headlines generating public interest
- increased attention led to more W joining NUWSS which inc support for F suffrage
- bills proposing forms of F suffrage reappeared in PLT after a 1 year lull following start of militancy
- (to a degree) a factor in the decision of granting F suffrage in 1918 may have come from a lack of desire for the post war re-emergence of militancy
outline the mass meeting
- in June 1908 there was a mass meeting
- between 250-500,000 women attended in Hyde Park demanding the vote - displayed the widespread support of cause
- Asquith still refused to consider the question of F suffrage - this convinced many that peaceful protest was no longer useful
