Pressure groups – The Suffragettes

Suffragettes: Militant Advocates for Women

Introduction

• Established in 1903, the Women's Social and Political Union, commonly known as the Suffragettes, were founded by Emmeline Pankhurst.
• Motto: 'Deeds, not words'. Advocated a stark contrast in their campaigning approach compared to the Suffragists.

1. Violent Campaigns:

Methods:

• Included arson, bombings, and physical attacks on police officers.

High-profile Incidents:

• Emily Davison's tragic death at the Derby in 1913 after running in front of the king's horse.

Actions in Scotland:

• Attempted arson of racecourses and an attempt to bomb Robert Burns' cottage. Prime Minister Asquith was also attacked during a golf game.

2. Media and Public Attention:

• Their violent tactics gained significant media attention, ensuring the women's voting issue was frequently discussed.
• However, these same tactics also alienated many MPs, hindering efforts to gain their support.

3. Hunger Strikes and Government Response:

• Many Suffragettes resorted to hunger strikes when imprisoned.
• Government's controversial response: Force-feeding prisoners.

Cat-and-Mouse Act:

• Allowed for the temporary release of hunger-striking prisoners until they recovered, only to be re-arrested later.

Medals:

• Suffragettes honored hunger strikers with medals, with notable figures like Emily Davison being force-fed multiple times.

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Pressure groups – The Suffragettes

Suffragettes: Militant Advocates for Women

Introduction

• Established in 1903, the Women's Social and Political Union, commonly known as the Suffragettes, were founded by Emmeline Pankhurst.
• Motto: 'Deeds, not words'. Advocated a stark contrast in their campaigning approach compared to the Suffragists.

1. Violent Campaigns:

Methods:

• Included arson, bombings, and physical attacks on police officers.

High-profile Incidents:

• Emily Davison's tragic death at the Derby in 1913 after running in front of the king's horse.

Actions in Scotland:

• Attempted arson of racecourses and an attempt to bomb Robert Burns' cottage. Prime Minister Asquith was also attacked during a golf game.

2. Media and Public Attention:

• Their violent tactics gained significant media attention, ensuring the women's voting issue was frequently discussed.
• However, these same tactics also alienated many MPs, hindering efforts to gain their support.

3. Hunger Strikes and Government Response:

• Many Suffragettes resorted to hunger strikes when imprisoned.
• Government's controversial response: Force-feeding prisoners.

Cat-and-Mouse Act:

• Allowed for the temporary release of hunger-striking prisoners until they recovered, only to be re-arrested later.

Medals:

• Suffragettes honored hunger strikers with medals, with notable figures like Emily Davison being force-fed multiple times.

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Pressure groups – The Suffragettes

4. Impact on Perception and Politics:

Positive Impact:

• Increased sympathy for Suffragettes due to the brutal image of force-feeding.

Negative Impact:

• Their violent approach fed into stereotypes of women being erratic and thus undeserving of voting rights.

Impact on Suffragists:

• The violent actions of the Suffragettes could have undermined the peaceful efforts of the Suffragists.

Political Stand:

• Unlike the Suffragists, the Suffragettes did not back the Labour's 'votes for all' initiative, indicating a potential disregard for working-class women's voting rights.

Conclusion

The Suffragettes, with their militant tactics, played a significant and controversial role in the push for women's suffrage. While their actions brought immense attention to the cause, they also sparked debate about the effectiveness and implications of their methods.

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Pressure groups – The Suffragettes

4. Impact on Perception and Politics:

Positive Impact:

• Increased sympathy for Suffragettes due to the brutal image of force-feeding.

Negative Impact:

• Their violent approach fed into stereotypes of women being erratic and thus undeserving of voting rights.

Impact on Suffragists:

• The violent actions of the Suffragettes could have undermined the peaceful efforts of the Suffragists.

Political Stand:

• Unlike the Suffragists, the Suffragettes did not back the Labour's 'votes for all' initiative, indicating a potential disregard for working-class women's voting rights.

Conclusion

The Suffragettes, with their militant tactics, played a significant and controversial role in the push for women's suffrage. While their actions brought immense attention to the cause, they also sparked debate about the effectiveness and implications of their methods.