Women's suffrage

What was the NUWSS?

The National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies was formed in 1897. Leader, Millicent Fawcett, became one of the most prominent middle class women campaigning for the vote. Suffragists

• Peaceful campaign

• 54,000 members by 1914

• Mostly middle class

• Gradualism

What was the WSPU?

• Women's Social and Political Union

• Formed in 1903

• Founded by Emmiline Pankhurst and daughters

• Pankhurst grew impatient of the suffragists

• Branches all over the country by 1909

• Newspaper “Votes for women” sold 20,000 copies per week

What were the key events of the suffragette movement?

• 1905 - heckling Sir Edward Grey

• 1908 - window smashing govt buildings

• 1909 - PM Herbert Asquith attacked

• 1913 - Emily Davidson killed by kings horse at Derby

What influence did the First World War have on the votes of women?

• Suffragettes and suffragists put a hold on campaigning to help with the war effort at home until the war was over.

• The major role women played earned then a large amount of respect

• The degree to which it helped get women the vote is debated but it is generally considered to have been an aiding factor.