Why were there different types of protest for the votes for women?

Learning objective – to be able to identify the different types of protests which wanted votes for women. I can describe the different types of protests which wanted votes for women. Grade D I can explain what the different types of protest and identify why they were different. Grade B I can explain with selected evidence why there were different types of protests for votes for women. Grade A

Who were the suffragists? The suffragists were the early campaigners for votes of women and were encouraged by growing support in Parliament and local women’s suffrage societies. They were mainly from the middle classes and formed the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies in 1897 led by Mrs. Millicent Fawcett. They believed in constitutional campaigning. This meant arguing in organised meetings, distributing leaflets and presenting petitions.

What was the impact of the suffragists? Many backbench Liberal MPs supported women’s suffrage, alongside leading Conservatives and Labour MP’s but this was not shared by the leaders of the Liberal Party or backbench Conservatives – who feared for the own seats should women’s suffrage be allowed. Therefore neither the Liberals or the Conservatives adopted the policy of women’s suffrage as a priority and campaigning on the part of MPs was restricted to private bills – none were successful. Suffragists raised the profile of the issue of women’s suffrage but were unable to break the stalemate in Parliament.

Who were the suffragettes? Many campaigners for women’s suffrage were becoming increasingly frustrated at the lack of progress for the suffragists. In 1903, Emmeline Pankhurst formed the Women’s Social and Political Union [WSPU]. Pankhurst felt that campaigning must become more radical and militant if they were to succeed. Suffragettes began a campaign in 1903 of disrupting political meetings and harassing ministers.

What was Direct Action? After another Suffrage Bill was blocked in 1908, the Suffragettes began to intensify their campaigning – this was called direct action. Direct action included suffragette, Edith New, chaining herself to the railings while making a speech in Downing Street preventing the police moving her on. Other actions included throwing stones at Number 10 Downing Street, disrupting political meetings to the extent suffragettes were arrested.

What was the impact of direct action? Reaction to direct action was mixed. Some approved, some were worried and others were scornful. However, the main impact of direct action was that it divided the suffragettes and suffragists. Suffragists felt that militancy could lose support from the moderate MPs and that you could not claim the democratic right to vote by undemocratic means.

Knowledge questions Outline the key features of the suffragists. How successful were the suffragists? Why did the suffragettes develop? What were the key features of direct action? What was the main impact of direct action? Do you think this was helpful to the cause of votes for women?

Look at the two sources ..... Cut out the two sources and stick them into your exercise book. One is from a suffragette and the other is from a suffragist. Can you tell which one is which? How did you reach your decision? How do the two sources differ? How do the sources compare for similarities? How useful are the sources in telling us about the campaign for the votes for women?

Plenary – My Brain Subheading – My Brain Draw an outline of your brain. Fill your drawn brain with all the things you have learnt in this lesson. This can be in the form of key words, drawings, bullet points, lists – anything you like so long as it summarises your learning and that others can understand it.