Suffragettes vs Suffragists: Did violent protest get women the vote?

Summary

During 1912-1913, women's suffrage activists escalated to serious violence, including bombings and arson, causing public alarm. Despite political resistance, by 1910, most MPs supported women's voting rights. The outbreak of WWI provided an opportunity for Emmeline Pankhurst to halt the increasingly violent campaign. Post-war, the government recognized the need for women's enfranchisement, leading to the 1918 Representation of the People Act, which granted voting rights to women over 30 who met certain property qualifications.

Takeaways

• 💥 Women engaged in serious violence during 1912-1913, including bombing campaigns and attacks on homes.
• 🏛️ The political inaction of the time, particularly by the liberal and conservative parties, led to frustration and escalated actions within the suffrage movement.
• 🗳️ By 1910, most MPs were open to the idea of women's parliamentary franchise, but were hesitant due to concerns about their own political survival.
• 🔪 Members of the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) attacked political figures, including an incident where they threw a hatchet at John Redmond.
• 🌎 The outbreak of World War I in 1914 provided an opportunity for Emmeline Pankhurst to halt the increasingly violent campaign, as it was reaching a dead end.
• 👥 The suffrage movement was diverse, with a range of activists and tactics, some of which were extreme and uncomfortable.
• 🎖️ The return of young men from the horrors of World War I, who had made the ultimate sacrifice, highlighted the injustice of their lack of voting rights.
• 🏡 Up to 40% of men did not have the right to vote in 1914 due to property qualifications, which was a point of contention.
• 👩‍💼 Women activists were effective in lobbying for the right to vote, ensuring their cause was discussed at Westminster.
• 👭 The suffrage movement was not a single story; it involved a rich diversity of activists, and there was fluidity between suffragettes and suffragists.
• 🌟 The right to vote was seen as a means to address everyday difficulties such as poor working conditions, low pay, and lack of healthcare.

Q & A

What was the nature of the violence engaged in by women during 1912-1913?

Women engaged in serious violence such as bombing campaigns, blowing up timber yards, and attacking private homes, which caused significant alarm and concern at the time.

Was there a debate among historians about how to classify the violence of the women's suffrage movement?

Yes, there is some disagreement among historians about whether the actions should be referred to as terrorist violence or terrorist activity.

What was the political climate regarding women's suffrage by 1910?

By 1910, most MPs in the House of Commons had come around to the idea of women having the parliamentary franchise, but they were hesitant to implement it due to concerns about self-preservation and how women might vote.

Why were politicians hesitant to extend the vote to women?

Politicians were worried that if they extended the vote to women, women might vote for the opposing party, thus threatening their own constituencies and power.

What was a notable violent act carried out by members of the Women's Social and Political Union?

Three members of the Women's Social and Political Union threw a hatchet into a carriage, narrowly missing Irish nationalist leader John Redmond but injuring his ear, and later attempted to burn down a theater where he was attending an event.

How did the outbreak of World War I impact the women's suffrage movement?

The outbreak of World War I provided an opportunity for Emmeline Pankhurst to halt the campaign, which was escalating into extreme violence, and to refocus efforts.

What was the significance of the First World War for the suffrage movement?

The war highlighted the sacrifices made by young men and the injustice of their lack of voting rights, which helped to further the argument for women's suffrage.

What percentage of men did not have the right to vote in 1914?

Up to 40% of men did not have the right to vote in 1914 because they did not own property and did not meet the property qualification.

How did the suffrage movement ensure that women's right to vote was discussed at Westminster?

The suffrage movement was very effective in lobbying and ensuring that the discussions at Westminster included the right of women to vote.

What did the women's suffrage movement believe would improve if women had the right to vote?

The movement believed that having the right to vote would alleviate everyday difficulties such as poor working conditions, low pay, and lack of healthcare, as these issues would be more likely to be addressed with women's representation in parliament.

How did the suffragettes and suffragists relate to each other during the movement?

The suffragettes and suffragists knew each other, worked together, and there was fluid movement between the two groups. One could support both at different times, and there was no strict division between them.