History Exam 2025- Suffragettes

When was the WSPU formed and by who?

The Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) was formed in 1903 by Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters, Christabel and Sylvia, to advocate for women's suffrage in the UK.

What did the Suffragettes beleive the approach should be to the campaign?

They beleived that militancy would be far more effective a campaign in getting women the right to vote as it was more confrentational, and would force the government into granting women the vote.

What event led to the take off of militancy and when?

1905, Christabel Pankhurst and Annie Kenny’s arrest for heckling Sir Edward Grey and Winston Churchill at a meeting in Manchester.

What were Annie and Christabel charged with following the arrest for heckling Sir Edward Grey?

Christabel and Annie spat at a policeman and were charged with disorderly conduct and obstruction.

Who else did the WSPU heckle?

Other political leaders such as Asquith, Churchill, Sir Edward Grey, and Lloyd George.

What raid did Christabel Pankhurt lead in 1908?

The Trojan Horse raid on the house of commons.

What did the Trojan Horse raid include?

26 Women leapt out of a parked Van in an attempt to heckle MPs.

What examples of Militancy took off in 1908? (4)

Braking windows, cutting telagraph wires, chaining to railings, exploding post boxes.

Who began hunger striking and when?

In 1909, Marion Wallace Dunlop began hunger striking to protest suffragette prisoners being treated like common criminals.

What major event happened to Emily Wilding Davison in 1913?

She was killed by the kings horse at a Derby while trying to pin a banner on it.

What are two examples of Suffragette propaganda?

The Suffragette, Votes for Women.

What did Emmeline Pankhurst say about the census in 1911?

“If women don’t count, neither shall they be counted”

What did Emmeline Pankhurst say regarding Lloyd George?

“We have tried blowing him up to wake up his conscience”

What did Emmeline Pankhurst say in 1908?

“We are here, not because we are law breakers, we are here in our efforts to become law-makers.”

What did Christabel say in 1914 regarding the Suffragette movement?

“This movement is not of today, not yesterday; it is of all time. The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.”

Emmeline Pankhurst famously said…

“Deeds, not words.”