1. The following two pages offer the basic facts you need to know about the Votes For Women Topic. Use your notes to make spider diagrams on each box. Add extra information to these basic facts so you have a deeper knowledge of the topic. http://www.whshumanities.co.uk/attachments/download.asp?file=253&type=ppt

2. Why were women not given the vote? 1) Women did not need the vote because their husbands and fathers voted for them. 2) Men believed that women were too weak and stupid to vote. 3) It was believed that men and women should live in “separate spheres” – women at home and men at work and in politics. 4) Many women did not want the vote. 5) Not all men could vote, so why should women. 6) Other issues such as the army, Empire and problems in Ireland were more important. A simple guide to Votes for Women Arguments in favour of women getting the Vote? 1) Given women the vote would make society equal and fair. 2) Women getting the vote would make politics more civilised. 3) Women were not inferior to men and were doing important jobs (such as doctor) already and had the vote in some local elections – they could cope. 4) Women had the vote in other countries, such as New Zealand. 5) Women paid taxes set by Parliament and laws affected them – they had a right to vote. Suffragists: Peaceful and moderate campaigners for the vote Known as the NUWSS: National Union of Women’s Suffrage Society Led by Millicent Fawcett. Tactics: Moderate and peaceful Marches Making speeches Giving lectures Writing letters, articles and books Working alongside MPs and politicians in a peaceful way Petitions to Parliament and the Prime Minister Trying to educate men into believing women deserved the vote Suffragettes: Violent and militant campaigners for the vote Known as the WSPU: Women’s Social and Political Union Led by Emmeline Pankhurst. (Her daughters Christabel and Sylvia were also important members) Tactics: Violent and illegal Marches Making speeches Writing letters, articles and books Arson Breaking windows Assaulting MPs Disrupting meetings Disrupting public events Suffrage means the right to vote Did the Violent Campaigns Help Women Get the Vote? Yes: They made female suffrage front page news and the Government had to listen. Once the issue of votes for women had been raised, and once it had received so much publicity, it was not going to go away - sooner or later, women would be given the vote. No: The violence gave the government an excuse not to give women the vote. The government argued that it was wrong to give in to violence. There were times when the Government appeared to be close to agreeing to female suffrage, but it could not be seen to be giving in to violence. The violence turned moderate men, especially moderate MPs, against the idea of votes for women. This is why bills in the House of Commons to give women the vote were always defeated. The violence supported the view that women were not responsible enough to have the vote. They were too emotional and hysterical. In 1913 and 1914, the NUWSS was growing in popularity at the expense of the WSPU. Some women were turning away from violence. Many newspapers were angry at the violence.

3. Key Dates: 1906: Lots of WSPU (Suffragette) campaigns – disrupting Parliament and political meetings. Many arrests and women sent to Prison. 1907: NUWSS organise a march in of 3000 women. The march is known as the “Mud March” because heavy rain made the ground muddy. 1908: Prime Minister Asquith rejects the idea of votes for women. WSPU starts a campaign of window smashing – many arrests. 1909: WSPU members in prison go on hunger strike. Prison authorities force feed the women. 1910: WSPU meets with Prime Minister Asquith and calls of violent campaigns – but he refuses to grant votes to women and they start new protests. At one protest, known as “Black Friday” there are many arrests and police sexually molest the women. 1912: WSPU start a campaign of window smashing 1913: WSPU smash windows, set fire to post boxes, dig up and pour acid on golf courses, blow up buildings (including Lloyd Georges new house). Emily Davison throws herself under the King’s Horse at the Derby – she is killed. Lots of arrests – force feeding is used when women go on hunger strike. Parliament passes Cat And Mouse Act to get around the hunger strikes. NUWSS campaigns peacefully. 1914: WSPU damage paintings in galleries. When war breaks out the WSPU says it will end its campaigns. It supports the war effort and becomes close the government. The NUWSS also supported the war but continued its peaceful campaigns. 1916: As more and more men go to fight many young girls work in factories. 1918: Women over 30 are given the vote – partly for their work in the war. Cat and Mouse Act 1913 Also known as the Prisoners’ Temporary Discharge for Health Act. Women on hunger strike were released when they became ill and then brought back to prison when they were well again. This meant they did not embarrass the government by dieing in prison.v Why did some Women get the Vote in 1918 Women in the NUWSS (suffragists) campaigned in a peaceful way and won the vote by convincing men that women were responsible. Men were changing their attitudes. New scientific evidence and the fact that women were doing other important jobs proved that women were capable of having the vote. The war work done by women made men change their minds and see women in a positive way – They worked in factories making weapons. This was often very dangerous and often led to diseases and accidents. However, some Historians have argued that only older women got the vote – not the young girls who worked in factories! The Suffragettes ended their campaigns and so MPs could give them the vote. Women in the WSPU – Suffragettes – won the vote with violent campaigns that put votes for women on the agenda in a way that no one could ignore – But some Historians think that women would have got the vote before the war if they had not been so violent and disruptive. How women got the vote: In 1918 women over 30 got the vote and were allowed to become MPs. Key People and Groups: Herbert Asquith Liberal Prime Minister – Opposed votes for women David Lloyd George Liberal politician – Supported votes for women Trade Unions and the Labour Party: They were not against votes for women, but they wanted all men to have the vote first. They also wanted social reform and trade unions laws more than votes for women.