the great war + politics

• THE SUFFRAGISTS (NUWSS):

  • Formed in 1897
  • Believed in peaceful tactics to win the vote
  • Membership remained high + when the Suffragettes became more violent, NUWSS membership rocketed
• THE SUFFRAGETTES (WSPU):

  • Formed in 1903 and led by Emmeline Pankhurst.
  • Motto was 'deeds not words'
  • From 1910 onwards they became more militant
  • Used violent methods such as firebombs + attacks on politicians. They also cent on hunger strikes which resulted in the cat + mouse act
• The actions of Suffragettes destroyed sympathy for the issue of votes for women.
• When war broke out in 1914, the WSPU suspended campaigning. Pankhurst formed the Britannia Society. Suffragists also stopped campaigning, but ambulances sponsored by the NUWSS appeared on the front line to maintain awareness.
• The war opened up job opportunities to women that would normally be closed to them.
• In vote 1918 the Representation of The People Act gave the to 8 million women over the age of 30. However single women and women in their teens or early 2Os that worked long + challenging hours in munitions had to wait until 1928 when the vote was given to men and women over the age of 21
• MILITANT TACTICS:

  • Smashing shop windows - angered business owners
  • Arson attacks - turned many against the cause
  • Chaining themselves to public buildings - made people new them as a nuisance
  • Emily Davidson death at the Derby - outraged the nation
  • Slashing paintings - upset many
  • Hunger strikes / force feeding - won public sympathy
• SUFFRAGIST CAMPAIGN:

  • Petitions
  • Lobbying
  • Seeking MP support
  • High numbers