1. World War One The Impact on Scottish Politics
Lesson starter:
Think about the following and jot down your ideas;
Did WWI give any groups in Scotland more influence than they had previously? If so, who?
Would WWI change who people voted for? If so, why?
1 – finance & banking
2 – ICT
3 – Construction
4 – oil & gas
5 – public sector & healthcare

2. We are learning to… Identify who received the vote in 1918 Explain why the position of women changed Describe the Rent Strikes I can… Gather notes & evidence on WWI and changing politics Answer two N5 questions on the topic

3. What do I need to know for the exam?
The Extension of the Franchise 1918
Why women got the vote in 1918
Rent Strikes 1915
Homes Fit for Heroes

4. The Representation of the People Act 1918 (extension of the franchise)
This Act of Parliament was the first time that any British women were given the vote
Women over 30 could now vote if they were
Householders
Graduates (had a degree from a University)
Married to householders
Many believed this was due to the work women did in the war!
The Franchise was also extended to ALL men over 21 (including poorer men)
Men could vote at 19 if they had served in the First World War

5. Things to think about…
Q: Why were all men (regardless of wealth or background) given the vote in 1918?
Since millions of British men had fought for their country in WWI (with many deaths & casualties) it seemed impossible to deny them the right to vote.
Poorer men needed to be enfranchised too, as it was them who had signed up in such high numbers

6. Women
The reasons for women receiving the vote however are more complicated!
Your teacher will summarise four arguments to you
You should gather evidence for each, then at the end you must decide which one you think is the most convincing argument as to why women were finally enfranchised

7. Argument One ‘Those Lovely Suffragists!’
The NUWSS was founded in 1897 by Millicent Fawcett
These middle class, well educated women campaigned peacefully to receive the vote
Pamphlets, petitions, meetings with MPs
Many believed they proved women were educated and organised and that they gained support of many MPs
They gained respect

9. Argument Two ‘Those Bloody Suffragettes!’
The WSPU was founded by Emmeline Pankhurst in 1903
She wanted to use ‘Deeds not words’ to gain the vote
The Suffragettes smashed windows, chalked slogans on walls, chained themselves to parliament and staged noisy protests

10. Some of their most controversial tactics involved
Bombing MP Lloyd George’s summer house outside London
Emily Davison’s death in front of the King’s Horse at the Epsom Derby in 1913
Going on Hunger Strike when they were imprisoned, forcing the government to introduce the ‘Cat and Mouse Act’ 1913
These all resulted in massive PUBLICITY and embarrassment for the government.

11. Starter – Recap from last week
Describe the tactics used by;
The Suffragists
The Suffragettes
To gain the vote for women before the war.

13. Q Practice N5
1. Describe the methods used by women to campaign for the vote

14. Argument Three ‘They did their bit in the War!’
As we know, around 2m British women took up men’s jobs in WWI
They worked in munitions, The Land Army, Transport, Nursing & Office jobs to free up men to fight
Many women worked in highly dangerous jobs i.e. the ‘Canaries’ who received toxic jaundice in munitions factories
This gained them a lot of respect from men across the country
Many believed the vote was a ‘Reward’ for their work in the war

15. Argument Four ‘It was going to happen anyway!’
Some historians have put forward the idea that women getting the vote was inevitable
Society was gradually changing – women were now accepted into universities, women had gained more rights i.e. custody of their own children and women could vote in local elections
Also, other countries such as Norway, Finland and New Zealand (British colony) had already given women the vote
These people argue that the war & Suffrage groups perhaps only ‘hurried up’ the vote for women

16. Some alternative views to consider…
Many people actually became anti-women’s suffrage due to the law breaking of the Suffragettes
Some people called the Suffragettes terrorists
Some people said the Suffragists were boring and easily ignored
The women who worked in munitions were in their 20s – it was not these women who got the vote
Although women had some more rights by 1914, they were still very much second class citizens to men

17. Complete in your jotter and share your ideas with the class!
Your Verdict: British women received the vote in 1918 due to… Two reasons to support my conclusion are: *
Complete in your jotter and share your ideas with the class!

18. N5 9 marker
To what extent did women receive the vote in 1918 due to their work in WWI? 9 marks.
Introduction (Background & things you will discuss) – 1 mark
Knowledge – 5 marks
Balance and structure – 1 mark
Coming to a conclusion – 1 mark
Reason for the conclusion – 1 mark

19. The Rent Strikes 1915
Listen to the song ‘Mrs Barbour’s Army’ at Follow the lyrics as you listen, and try to jot down some notes about what you think Mrs Barbour’s Army did.

21. Glasgow – 1915 The Problem
During the war, people moved to big cities like Glasgow where work in the factories was plentiful
Housing was in short supply, so many landlords decided to increase rent in order to make more money
This was known as profiteering
It is likely that Landlords believed they would get away with it, particularly with most men away fighting

22. The Rent Strikes
Many women believed these Landlords were taking advantage – the quality of housing was generally poor so why should people pay more?
In February 1915, Mary Barbour established the Glasgow Womens’ Housing Association
They refused to pay increased rents, displaying posters in their windows refusing rent increases
When sheriff's officers arrived to collect rent arrears they were attacked with rotten food and flour
Many male workers on the Clydeside joined the women in their protests & strikes
Soon 25,000 residents had joined the Rent Strikes and they spread to other cities like Dundee

27. The Rent Strikes - Results
The British Government was put under immense pressure with the Rent Strikes, as well as men in important jobs taking their own strike action
The government was forced to pass the 1915 Rent Restriction Act, freezing rents to pre-1914 levels
This was seen as a victory for the working class women and men in Glasgow
It was also part of a wider movement, known as ‘Red Clydeside’ which was about ordinary men & women standing up to the government

28. N5 Questions
Describe the events of the Rent Strikes in marks 4 detailed sentences = 4 marks

29. David Lloyd George in 1918…
Our boys have fought hard and done us proud! We will all be eternally thankful!
We know poor housing is a huge problem in our country…I promise every man returning from war a new Home fit for a hero!

30. Homes Fit for Heroes – The Promises
A new law, The Addison Act of 1919 promised to build ½ a million new council homes across Britain
Mainly 3 bedroom family homes
The homes would be finished in three years
Housing committees were set up
New ‘garden estates’ would be built on the outskirts of cities
There would be facilities like shops, schools and churches

31. Homes Fit for Heroes – The Reality!
The economy weakened during the 1920s – the decline of heavy industry was mainly to blame and unemployment was high
The ‘Homes fit for Heroes’ budget was made smaller and smaller
Only 200,000 homes were actually built(less than half of those promised)
The Addison Act only made very slight improvements to housing

32. We are learning to… Identify who received the vote in 1918 Explain why the position of women changed Describe the Rent Strikes I can… Gather notes & evidence on WWI and changing politics Answer two N5 questions on the topic

33. What do I need to know for the exam?
The Extension of the Franchise 1918
Why women got the vote in 1918
Rent Strikes 1915
Homes Fit for Heroes