History - Unit 1 - The Women's Suffrage Movement

Key Vocabulary For This Unit: Patriarchal, Suffrage, Lobbying, Protest, Militant, Census, Terrorism, Act, Martyr And Equal Rights.

What was the role of women in 1900 and how were they viewed in society?

• Students will know that women were viewed as ‘less than’ men in the 1900.
• Students will know that women were not allowed to vote or earn as much as men.
• Students will know that women were often confined to the home or in stereotypical female roles in the domestic service.

Who were the Suffragists?

• Students will know that women started to peacefully protest for the vote into the 20th century.
• Students will know that the peaceful protests consisted of lobbying politicians, making leaflets and going on marches.
• Students will know that Millicent Fawcett was the leader of this group.

Who were the Suffragettes?

Students will know that the peaceful protests turned violent after 6 years of campaigning. Violent protests consisted of blowing up post boxes, chaining themselves to railings and blowing up the chancellor’s house.
• Students will know that the Suffragettes boycotted the 1911 census with Davison hiding in Westminster.
• Students will know that Emmeline Pankhurst was the leader of this group.

Were the Suffragettes terrorists?

• Students will know that terrorism is the use of violence for political gain.
• Students will know there is a historical debate that the Suffragettes were indeed terrorists. Dr Fern Riddell agrees with this.
• Students will know Dr June Purvis believes women had no choice as they tried other options.

How did the government respond to the women’s protests?

• Students will know that women were arrested and roughly handled by the police when they protested and campaigned/ chained themselves to buildings.
• Students will know some women went on hunger strike to highlight the suffragette cause. This led to the government force feeding women, this was brutal.
• Students will know that the Cat and Mouse Act was introduced to try and tackle the strikes.

How important were the actions of Emily Davison for the Suffragette movement?

• Students will know that Emily Davison was very highly educated and a qualified teacher turned Suffragette.
• Students will know that Davison was known to police for bomb making, boycotting the 1911 census and going on hunger strike.
• Students will know that Davion jumped in front of the King’s horse at the Epsom Derby becoming a martyr for Suffragette cause. Her intention will be debated.

Were the aims of the Suffragists and Suffragettes achieved by 1918?

• Students will know that women were not given the vote before 1918 as the government thought that women should not have a voice in parliament.
• Students will know the Representation of the People’s Act was passed in 1918 giving women over 30 the vote if they owned property.
• Students will know that women were not given equal voting rights until 1928.

Why did the women’s suffrage movement turn violent?

The women's suffrage movement turned violent in some instances due to frustration with the slow progress and resistance from authorities. Activists, particularly in the UK and the US, faced imprisonment and harsh treatment, leading some to adopt militant tactics. Groups like the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) in the UK engaged in acts of civil disobedience, property damage, and hunger strikes to draw attention to their cause and demand voting rights. This escalation was a response to the lack of political engagement and recognition of women's rights.