WSPU Flashcards
Introduction
In this essay I will be discussing the militant tactics of the WSPU in order to explore my thesis that the militant tactics used was successful in furthering the cause of women’s suffrage. This essay will explore how militancy influenced media sensationalism and hence parliamentary recognition, whilst also discussing how despite the public disapproving of excessive militancy, it was this militancy along with WW1 that eventually lead to women’s sufferance.
Younger generations
WSPU and NUWSS
whilst women’s suffrage wasn’t a new idea, the younger generations of suffragettes relatives that polite methods achieved nothing. The activists realised that “tea parties would not do it” and the only choice was sensational publicity and martyrdom might”
- Not all suffragettes agreed with the necessity of sensentionalism, which lead to a split in the movement: the NUWSS lead by Millicent Fawcett and the (WSPU) lead by Emmeline Parkhurst
- The NUWSS restricted itself to peaceful demonstrations whilst the (WSUP) was into more press baiting methods
Policy of the WSPU encouraged
The policy of the WSUP encouraged members to “conduct the biggest publicity campaign ever know; make it more colourful and more commanding of attention than anything ever seen before”
In 1908 saw the first instances of of suffragettes throwing stones through windows, and showed no resistance to being arrested, and refused to be fined.
- They chose improisonment instead and insisted on being categorised as political prisoners, and once in prison went on hunger strikes. The strikes drew the press’ and the public’s intrests, the response of the prisons to the suffragettes hunger strikes was force feeding, this process once known to the press aroused public outcry in support of the suffragettes (being applied to women who were the weaker sex was perceived abhorrent)
- parliament began to recognise as even conservative MP’s joined the protest in parliament and thanks to the press the whole country knew of the horrors inflicted on the women and “public opinion was undoubtably beginning to assert itself on the side of the women”
After horrors of the force feeding was discovered Sufferage had become a national
Issue with 150 local councils passed resolutions supporting enfranchisement if women and sent them to London.
Because of mounting public pressure the government was forced to act , in 1910
The conciliation bill was drafted in parliament , it’s intent to “embody a degree of women’s enfranchisement that would be acceptable to the greatest number of Mp’s of all parties”. The WSUP decided to suspend militancy as they thought the would pass, however it didn’t.
MP KIER HARDIE SAID
“What else is left to the women but militant tactics?
Black Friday date?
Novemeber 18th 1913
Black Friday and Battle of Downing Street
- A crowd of Pankhursts suffragettes angry at the bill not passing rioted in parliament square for over 6 hours, described as a battle with the police. Women were no longer treated tamely , with Pankhurst herself claiming that women were thrown down violently in rapid succession, however police decided that once arrested they wouldn’t be prosecuted , as winston Churchill puts “to no public advantage” out of fear of further demonstrations
- An even worse riot occurred the following weak when Herbert Asquith said no further bill would be considered , over 185 suffragettes arrested , however violence rose to such a level that London times referred to them as “demented creatures and their conduct alienated the sympathy of the crowds” and this began to lose public support
The actions of the WSUP were now undertook specifically to ensure publicity
- distorting private property
- spray painting “votes for woman”
- arson
- slashing train cushions etc
This culminated on June 4th 1913 when Emily Davidson threw herself under the kings racehorse , subsequently killing her and riots ensued
These actions by the WSPU while attracting huge publicity had to opposite effect intended
Public began to disapprove of the suffragettes
Parliament Cited insane actions as why they shouldn’t get the vote
However in 1914 WW1 interrupted the women’s suffrage movement
The women of GBR took on the roles of the men that left to be soldiers “undreamt of before” such as working in factories hospitals and municipal offices providing a stability and maturity that had been contradicted by the suffragettes
The government was understandly greatfull for the unselfish actions of all British women and bad show they were “capable of taking part in British civil work”. This was enough to convince government to grant women the vote however they did this also to avoid further militancy once the war ended which could “split the country from top to bottom” .
Lord Crewe quote
Warned the house that if the vote was refused to women the old violent atmosphere of the question would return”
Conclusion
Although WW1 was undeniable a key role in the granting on women’s sufferage it must be summarised that women would not have gained the vote should they not have emphatically demanded it for the previous 70 years. The militancy of the suffragettes served an invaluable purpose , proving women wanted the vote. As it was claimed that pre 1913 there was no “evidence” I
