Votes for Women

Votes for Women

1. Suffragists (NUWSS)

   • Tactics
     • Peaceful demonstrations
     • pamphlets
     • Trained speakers
     • Lobbying
       • putting pressure on political leaders
   • Leader - Millicent Fawcett
   • large membership growth
     • 12,000 - 50,000 by 1914

2. Suffragettes (WSPU)

   • Deeds not words
   • Tactics
     • Violent protests
       • unlady like
     • smashed windows
     • went on hunger strike
       • force feeding brought sympathy
       • cat and mouse act
   • brought large amounts of publicity
   • put off political figures
     • "their cause has marched backwards - Churchill
   • rift within group
   • violence confirmed why women shouldn't get the vote

3. First world war

   • women replaced men in the work place
     • worked in munitions industry
     • conductors on trams; taxi drivers; in the police; as dock workers; shop assistants; as typists and secretaries
     • proved to be equal to men
   • joined the army
     • WREN's
     • WAAC's
   • social changes
     • women had to adapt to the new ways
       • social barriers broke down
   • political changes
     • coalition government
       • supporters of woman's votes
         • David Lldoy George

4. social attitudes

   • 20th century was a time of great social change
   • new opportunities opened up for women
     • with better technology
   • Women had more freedom
   • Women were being educated
     • medical schools open for women
   • involvement in local politics
     • women gained right over property in 1882 - woman's property act
     • town councils, Boards of Guardians and members of political organisation

5. other countries - international pressures

   • Britain would be embarrassed politically if the 'mother of democracy' was seen to be lagging behind other countries
   • New Zealand, Australia, Finland and Norway had all given women the vote
   • Part of a global phenomenon