The Suffragettes Early years 1903-1906 Developments 1906-1908 Very few rights for women and no right to vote in general elections – ‘politics should be left to men’. How could powerless ‘outsiders’ persuade those with power to share it with them? Peaceful protest within the law? Work within the system? Or break the law? 1897 National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies (NUWSS) led by Millicent Fawcett: peaceful protest, letters, leaflets, petitions etc. Known as the Suffragists. But little change meant many thought this was not enough. 1903 Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU), known as the Suffragettes. Set up by Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters Christabel and Sylvia. ‘Deeds not Words. One object, political equality with men.’ They organised events to get publicity and were ready to break the law. 1906 The Liberals won the election and many thought they would give women the vote. But Prime Minister Asquith said other reforms were more important. Suffragists and Suffragettes tried publicity events: leaflets, Votes for Women newspaper, publicity stunts, large demonstrations (300,000 in WSPU march to Hyde Park 1908) October 1906 WSPU Suffragettes broke the law by protesting in the House of Commons. Arrested and sent to prison. Others chained themselves to railings outside Downing Street. No response from Asquith so WSPU decided to step up their action. Suffragette actions included setting fire to buildings and post boxes, cutting telegraph wires,. pouring acid on golf courses NUWSS and WSPU split away from each other.

The Suffragettes Suffragettes and the media Why did a small number of women get so much media publicity? Women getting arrested made a good story Many people were shocked by women acting in this way The Suffragettes put the government under pressure and people liked reading about this Newspapers had strong views for or against votes for women The violent tactics of the authorities made a good story The Suffragettes were very good at publicity How successful was the Suffragettes’ use of the media? They wanted media attention and didn’t mind if it was positive or negative. But their more violent tactics meant some women left them and joined the NUWSS. Some important men could claim that they were mentally unstable. However, they kept the attention of the media. 1913 the death of Emily Davison At the Derby horse race she tried to stop the king’s horse but was knocked down and killed. At first the media and public were against the action. However the WSPU organised two big funerals and made her a martyr. Some newspapers were totally against the idea of votes for women – e.g. The Times. Other newspapers supported the women when their methods were non-violent. Some newspapers reported police violence. One magazine (Punch) supported votes for women. But most newspapers were against the Suffragettes. However, when the WSPU used violence the papers reported it and gave the Suffragettes the publicity they wanted! Stalemate! The government could not crush the protests but women could not get the vote unless the government changed the law.

The Suffragettes Government attempts to deal with the protests The authorities began force-feeding the women in prison. Wedges forced mouth to open, tube pushed down through the nose. Sometimes the food went into the lungs instead of the stomach. Many health problems as a result. This caused a public outcry and got the WSPU more support. 1910 Asquith agreed to work with the WSPU and NUWSS on a new Bill to give women the vote. The Suffragettes called off violent protests. But the new law never happened because Liberals thought women would vote for the Conservatives. Friday 18th November 1910 (‘Black Friday’) over 300 Suffragettes protested angrily outside Parliament. The police were told to scare and humiliate them. Many women suffered violent and sexual assault from the police. Hundreds more women were now willing to go to prison. 1911 big window-breaking campaign 1913 the ‘Cat and Mouse Act’ – hunger strikers freed from prison before they were badly ill, then arrested again when they were strong. The government found it hard to deal with the protests without upsetting the public and giving the Suffragettes more support. Liberal MPs were divided about women’s votes – some for and some against. When the WSPU used direct action the government took a hard line. They banned all women from Liberal meetings. WSPU members broke windows and refused to pay fines. They wanted to be sent to prison. They wanted to be treated as political prisoners but the government treated them as ordinary criminals (not allowed to speak, having to empty their own chamber pots). They wanted to scare and humiliate Suffragettes and put off others from doing the same. Some Suffragettes went on hunger strike. The government did not want them to die in prison and become martyrs. Balance of power – If authorities are powerful enough to squash a protest it gets nowhere. If government is scared to use its power because of public reaction, protesters can force change.

The Suffragettes The end of the campaign THINK The war ended in 1918. In the same year the Representation of the People Act gave the vote to women over 30 if they or their husbands were householders. In 1928 all women over 21 got the vote. Did women get the vote because of the war or because of the Suffragettes’ actions? The war showed that women could do jobs just as well as men. Many people had been put off by the Suffragette tactics. However, it was the Suffragettes who had made the change in law possible and they were the ones who pushed for it in 1918. The government also did not want to go back to all the problems before the war. But only richer women got the vote in 1918. In 1913 Sylvia Pankhurst had split with her mother and left the WSPU. She formed the East London Federation for working-class women. She wanted all women to have the vote. Christabel Pankhurst only wanted the vote for women with money and property.. She supported more violent action. In 1914 the First World War began. The WSPU stopped all protests and supported the war effort. In return the government released all Suffragette prisoners. The NUWSS did not support the war as strongly as the WSPU. During the war women played an important, active part doing jobs that had previously been for men only. Women were clearly capable of doing ‘men’s work’. Sylvia Pankhurst was strongly against the war, a socialist and pacifist. But Emmeline and Christabel worked to get young men to serve in the armed forces. THINK ‘Violent protest was the worst way of campaigning for the vote.’ Do you agree? Did the government’s attitude to the protests only help the Suffragettes’ campaign?