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Votes for women
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In 1900 no woman could vote in a general election in Britain. By 1928 women could vote on the same terms as men.
Suffragists and suffragettes
Suffragists, led by Millicent Fawcett, formed the NUWSS in 1897. They used peaceful, legal methods: meetings, petitions and marches.
Suffragettes, led by Emmeline Pankhurst, formed the WSPU in 1903. Their motto was 'Deeds not words'. They used direct action: smashing windows, chaining themselves to railings and setting fires to empty buildings.
Suffragettes, led by Emmeline Pankhurst, formed the WSPU in 1903. Their motto was 'Deeds not words'. They used direct action: smashing windows, chaining themselves to railings and setting fires to empty buildings.
Prison and protest
Imprisoned suffragettes went on hunger strike. The government force-fed them, which caused public anger.
The Cat and Mouse Act (1913) let hunger strikers out until they recovered, then re-arrested them.
In 1913 Emily Wilding Davison ran onto the course at the Epsom Derby and was hit by the king's horse. She died four days later.
The Cat and Mouse Act (1913) let hunger strikers out until they recovered, then re-arrested them.
In 1913 Emily Wilding Davison ran onto the course at the Epsom Derby and was hit by the king's horse. She died four days later.
The vote is won
When the First World War began in 1914, most campaigners paused and supported the war effort. Women did vital work, for example in munitions factories.
The Representation of the People Act (1918) gave the vote to women over 30 who met a property qualification, and to all men over 21.
In 1919 Nancy Astor became the first woman to take her seat as an MP.
The Equal Franchise Act (1928) gave women the vote at 21, the same as men.
The Representation of the People Act (1918) gave the vote to women over 30 who met a property qualification, and to all men over 21.
In 1919 Nancy Astor became the first woman to take her seat as an MP.
The Equal Franchise Act (1928) gave women the vote at 21, the same as men.
Why did some women gain the vote in 1918?
- Decades of campaigning by suffragists and suffragettes had kept the issue in the news.
- Women's war work showed they were vital to the country.
- The voting system was being changed anyway, because many soldiers could not vote under the old rules.
Answer: A mix of long campaigning, women's war work and the need to reform the voting system after the war.
Suffragists (NUWSS, 1897, Fawcett): peaceful. Suffragettes (WSPU, 1903, Pankhurst): direct action. Cat and Mouse Act and Davison's death (1913). 1918: women over 30 with property; 1919: Astor; 1928: women vote at 21.
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