11

Women’s Suffrage Women’s Suffrage MovementsMovements

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Aim of LessonAim of Lesson

To analyse the contribution made To analyse the contribution made by the Suffragists and Suffragettes by the Suffragists and Suffragettes in gaining women the right to vote.in gaining women the right to vote.

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SuffragistsSuffragists

Was the first and biggest as well as Was the first and biggest as well as the most successful of the women’s the most successful of the women’s suffrage movements.suffrage movements.

Peaceful methods of protest.Peaceful methods of protest. NUWSS numbers grew considerably NUWSS numbers grew considerably

and was far bigger than the WSPU.and was far bigger than the WSPU. NUWSS – 1907: 6,000 membersNUWSS – 1907: 6,000 members

1913: 50,000 members1913: 50,000 members

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Analysis - Success or Analysis - Success or failure?failure?

Failed to gain the vote.Failed to gain the vote. But many impressed by the dignified and But many impressed by the dignified and

well-organised way the Suffragists well-organised way the Suffragists conducted themselves.conducted themselves.

Attracted many loyal followers, campaigned Attracted many loyal followers, campaigned vigorously and won the support of many vigorously and won the support of many MPs.MPs.

Historian Martin Pugh argues that because Historian Martin Pugh argues that because of the Suffragists quiet persuasion many of the Suffragists quiet persuasion many prominent MPs supported them such as prominent MPs supported them such as Lloyd George, but he also states that most Lloyd George, but he also states that most MPs gave them only ‘lukewarm’ support.MPs gave them only ‘lukewarm’ support.

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Analysis continuedAnalysis continued

Did not win the vote despite no less Did not win the vote despite no less than 4 attempts to introduce women’s than 4 attempts to introduce women’s suffrage bills to parliament.suffrage bills to parliament.

Still a lot of anti-suffrage feeling – eg. Still a lot of anti-suffrage feeling – eg. Queen Victoria. Also, a lot of working Queen Victoria. Also, a lot of working class men who disliked these pushy, class men who disliked these pushy, mainly middle class, women.mainly middle class, women.

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SuffragettesSuffragettes

Motto = “Deeds not Words”Motto = “Deeds not Words” 1905-1908 – Campaign of disruption 1905-1908 – Campaign of disruption

of political meetings, heckling of political meetings, heckling politicians, large parades, chalking politicians, large parades, chalking slogans on streets etc.slogans on streets etc.

1909-1914 – Increasingly violent – 1909-1914 – Increasingly violent – smashing windows, pepper bombs, smashing windows, pepper bombs, setting fire to pillar boxes etc.setting fire to pillar boxes etc.

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Death of Emily Davison. Death of Emily Davison. Click on Click on picture to view clip.picture to view clip.

Hunger campaign that resulted in Hunger campaign that resulted in force feeding and ultimately The force feeding and ultimately The Prisoners Temporary Discharge Act Prisoners Temporary Discharge Act 1912.1912.

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Analysis - Success or Analysis - Success or failure?failure?

Achieved publicity for the cause of Achieved publicity for the cause of women’s suffrage – not always good women’s suffrage – not always good publicity.publicity.

Did boost numbers – at some WSPU Did boost numbers – at some WSPU rallies as many as 30,000 attended.rallies as many as 30,000 attended.

Did put pressure on politicians to try Did put pressure on politicians to try to appease women – eg. A lot of to appease women – eg. A lot of sympathy for hunger strikers.sympathy for hunger strikers.

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Analysis ContinuedAnalysis Continued

But was a distinct male backlash But was a distinct male backlash against suffragettes – MPs like Labour against suffragettes – MPs like Labour MP George Lansbury defeated at by-MP George Lansbury defeated at by-electionselections

National League for Opposing National League for Opposing Women’s Suffrage was founded 1911.Women’s Suffrage was founded 1911.

Even peaceful NUWSS was blamed Even peaceful NUWSS was blamed for violence.for violence.

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Analysis/HistoriographyAnalysis/Historiography

Historian Pugh argues that the Historian Pugh argues that the Suffragettes actually harmed the Suffragettes actually harmed the cause of women’s suffrage by cause of women’s suffrage by turning MPs against the suffrage turning MPs against the suffrage movement following attacks on movement following attacks on them – eg. Conciliation Billsthem – eg. Conciliation Bills

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Conciliation BillsConciliation Bills

1911 votes for women getting the vote = 2251911 votes for women getting the vote = 225

Against = 88 – Therefore, passes first Against = 88 – Therefore, passes first reading.reading.

1911-1912 Suffragettes wage a violent 1911-1912 Suffragettes wage a violent campaign against MPs.campaign against MPs.

1912 votes for women getting the vote = 2081912 votes for women getting the vote = 208

Against = 222 – Therefore, fails second Against = 222 – Therefore, fails second reading.reading.

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Analysis OverviewAnalysis Overview

Women did not achieve the vote by Women did not achieve the vote by 1914.1914.

However, the Suffragists and However, the Suffragists and Suffragettes did put the issue of Suffragettes did put the issue of votes for women on the political votes for women on the political map.map.