The Impact of the War 1914 – 1918 on Votes for Women “ Women, your country needs you. Let us show ourselves worthy of citizenship, whether our claim is to be recognised or not.” (Millicent Fawcett, President NUWSS. August 4th 1914)

The war starts – mixed reaction from women campaigners 5. The war starts – mixed reaction from women campaigners Some become ‘super-patriots’ – Emmeline + Christabel Pankhurst Some side with pacifists – Sylvia Pankhurst Some continued to lobby parliament – Suffragists: Millicent Fawcett In general the impetus of the campaign before the war was lost.

6. Contribution to war effort Contribution to ‘The Cause’ Economic: Worked in munitions industry Dangerous munitions work showed women risked their lives as well as men to save the nation. Worked in medical services Government created women’s paramilitary organisations. WAAC, WRENS, WAAFS Brought credibility to the cause. Women taking on and succeeding in what had traditionally been men’s responsibilities. Gave women across all classes a new self confidence and sense of equal status in society.

6. Continued Other factors during the war which helped The Cause Political: See reasons 1 – 7 blue sheet (The Impact of the War) Government propaganda promoted that GB was fighting for democracy to impress our US allies. So the government had to be seen to move for universal suffrage. Coalition government during war More men from different parties now in government who supported the cause Govt report 30th Jan 1917 – recommends “some measure of women’s suffrage should be conferred…” This ultimately leads to the Representation of the People Act June 1918.

War may have delayed enfranchisement of women due to: 7. War may have delayed enfranchisement of women due to: The war became the priority issue and so stopped further debate on women’s vote so delaying any more Conciliation Bills until the war ended. The differing attitudes of women to the war, thus splitting their previously unified efforts which would have weakened the apparent strength of commitment to The Cause in the eyes of the government and public. Patriotic Pankhursts: Emmeline and Christabel were commited to supporting the government win the war. Set up the The Women’s Party, 1917. Pacifist Pankhurst: Sylvia. She was anti war with left wing attitude to war. She and a minority of Suffragettes formed a separate organisation, The Workers’ Suffrage Federation, 1915. 8. Representation of the People Act June 1918 All women 30+ can vote All men over the age of 21. 9. Were the S and S satisfied with the Act? Disappointment with the age bar, wanted equality with men 10. Equal Franchise Act July 1928 Equality in voting rights for all women and men aged 21+ .

11. Why did it take so long for women to get the vote? Social societal attitudes of the roles of women Inequalities in educational opportunities Inequalities in legal status Political Opposition to women’s suffrage Opposition to universal suffrage Economic Inequalities in pay and conditions Unequal opportunities in trades and professions