WSPU - key dates (1903-1914)

1897

formation of the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies

1903

Women’s social and Political Union established

1905

WSPU begins militant action

1906

• liberal party wins general election

• Christabel Pankhurst ends WSPU’s alliance with the Labour Party

1908

• Asquith becomes Liberal Prime Minister

• 250,000 → 500,000 assemble in Hyde Park demanding female suffrage

• WSPU escalates militancy, window smashing begins

1909

Failure of the women’s suffrage bill

Jan, 1910

Jan: Liberals lose majority in general election Conciliation committee

• First conciliation bill passed

Nov, 1910

‘Black Friday’

Dec, 1910

General election returns hung parliament

May, 1911

Second Conciliation bill passed

1912

• Third conciliation bill defeated

• Arson campaign begins

Jan, 1913

Failure of government franchise bill

June, 1913

Emily Davison killed at Epsom Derby

1913

gov. passes ‘Car-and-Mouse Act’

1914

Outbreak of WW1

1918

Representation of the People Act secures women the vote