The work of the suffragists/suffragettes to extend the franchise (Edexcel A-Level Politics): Revision Notes
1.2.2 Suffragists' and Suffragettes' Efforts to Extend the Franchise
The campaign to extend the franchise to women in the United Kingdom was a pivotal movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This movement was driven by two primary groups: the Suffragists and the Suffragettes. Each group adopted different methods and strategies in their struggle for women's suffrage.
The Suffragists
National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies (NUWSS):
Formation: Founded in 1897, the NUWSS united various women's suffrage groups under a single umbrella organisation.
Leadership: Led by Millicent Fawcett, a key figure in the movement.
Methods:
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Peaceful Campaigning: The Suffragists employed non-violent methods such as petitions, peaceful demonstrations, and lobbying of Members of Parliament (MPs).
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Public Speaking and Literature: They organised public meetings, wrote articles, and distributed pamphlets to raise awareness and support for women's suffrage.
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Political Alliances: Worked to build alliances with sympathetic MPs and political parties to introduce and support suffrage bills in Parliament.
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Education and Persuasion: Focused on educating the public about the importance of women's voting rights through reasoned arguments and evidence. Achievements:
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Incremental Progress: While the Suffragists did not achieve immediate success, their persistent efforts helped to gradually shift public opinion and laid the groundwork for future legislative changes.
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Influence on Legislation: Their lobbying efforts contributed to the passage of the 1918 Representation of the People Act, which granted voting rights to certain women over 30.
The Suffragettes
Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU):
Formation: Established in 1903 by Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters, Christabel and Sylvia, the WSPU was a breakaway group from the NUWSS, advocating for more militant tactics.
Slogan**:** "Deeds, not words."
Methods:
- Militant Actions: The Suffragettes engaged in direct action, including hunger strikes, chaining themselves to railings, breaking windows, and setting fire to postboxes and buildings.
- Civil Disobedience: They disrupted political meetings and events to draw attention to their cause.
- Imprisonment and Hunger Strikes: Many Suffragettes were imprisoned for their actions. While in prison, they often went on hunger strikes, leading to force-feeding and increased public sympathy.
- Media and Publicity: Used bold and dramatic actions to gain media attention and highlight the suffrage issue in the national consciousness.
In 1913, WSPU member Emily Davison was killed when she threw herself under the king's horse at the Derby as a protest at the government's continued failure to grant women the right to vote.
Achievements:
- Raising Awareness: The Suffragettes' dramatic actions brought significant attention to the women's suffrage movement, making it a prominent political issue.
- Influencing Public Opinion: Their militant approach created a sense of urgency and highlighted the lengths to which women were willing to go for the right to vote.
- Impact on Legislation: The combination of militant and non-militant pressure contributed to the government's decision to grant limited suffrage to women in 1918 and full suffrage in 1928.
This phase of militancy came to an abrupt halt with the onset of war in 1914, at which point Emmeline shifted her focus towards supporting the war effort. In 1918, the Representation of the People Act extended voting rights to women over the age of 30. Emmeline passed away on June 14, 1928, shortly after women were granted equal voting rights with men, allowing them to vote at age 21.
Conclusion
The work of the Suffragists and Suffragettes was crucial in the fight to extend the franchise to women in the UK.
While the Suffragists used peaceful, law-abiding methods to build support and influence legislation, the Suffragettes adopted more radical and militant tactics to draw attention to the cause.
Together, their efforts played a significant role in securing women's right to vote, culminating in the passage of the 1918 and 1928 Representation of the People Acts, which progressively granted voting rights to women on equal terms with men.