A daguerreotype (early photo) of a meeting on Kennington Common, London, 1848

Starter... In the 1830s a group of activists known as the Chartists put forward a list of suggestions to make the voting system fairer. It took three petitions, hundreds of injuries, 22 deaths and over 80 years for the government to accept five out of six of the Chartist’s proposals. TASK: Look at the demands carefully what does it tell you about the voting system of the late 1800s? Who is left out of the Chartist’s suggestions and why?

A vote for every man 21 years of age of sound mind who was not a criminal Voting to be secret to protect the voter in his choices MPs did not have to own property, allowing more people to put themselves forward for election Payment of MPs to allow those other than the rich to become MPs Equal constituencies so that those in larger constituencies weren’t under represented Annual Parliaments to avoid bribery and intimidation within constituencies “We request….”

Votes for Women – recap -why? -who? -how?

Background There was great inequality of the sexes in the 1800s in Britain. Economically women were dependent on men. Socially they were expected to be obedient to men and legally they had fewer rights. Their range of employment was also very limited. However, as time passed new job opportunities for women appeared – teachers, shop workers, clerks or secretaries in offices.

Sisters are doing it for themselves... By 1900, because of the Chartists, all men over 21 had the vote, regardless of how rich they were. But women were still not allowed to vote at all. Only men could become MPs. Task: listen to the song from Mary Poppins called, ‘Sister Suffragette’ and read through (sing if you like!!) the lyrics. Underline anything that shows you WHAT women wanted and WHY they wanted it.Sister Suffragette

Two groups emerged: The Suffragists – who favoured a more peaceful, law abiding approach. Leader was Millicent Fawcett. The Suffragettes – who favoured a more direct/aggressive approach. Leader was Emmeline Pankhurst.

Arguments (in 1900) for and against giving women the right to vote??

What methods did the suffragettes use to get the vote? Extension: how did most men view the Suffragettes? What methods did the suffragists use to get the vote? End

Who is this and what policies were his political party pursuing at this time ( )?

Why were the Liberals split on votes for women? Why were the Conservatives split on votes for women?

Plenary: source analysis Look at the sources on p Which of these sources is the most effective piece of propaganda for and against women’s suffrage? Be ready to explain your answer ‘All publicity is good publicity.’ Do you think the Pankhursts would agree with this statement? Would Millicent Fawcett agree?

Why was this poster published in 1909? Content? Context? Provenance? Purpose?

A suffragette poster. Designed to encourage voters to vote against the Liberal PM Asquith in the Jan 1910 general election. Shows the force-feeding of suffragettes – “militant” female campaigners of the right to vote. Image shows the violence of force-feeding. Women as “political prisoners”. “Bills” to allows women’s suffrage were introduced 1907, 1908 and 1909 but did not become law despite a majority of MPs supporting women’s suffrage”