The history of female protest and suffrage in the UK (Free course trailer)

Summary

This script explores the history of the women's suffrage movement, emphasizing its complexities and the lesser-known figures who played a pivotal role. While iconic names like Emmeline Pankhurst and Millicent Fawcett are highlighted, the script also sheds light on figures such as Ada Nield Chew and May Billinghurst. The narrative touches upon the differing approaches of suffragists, including the peaceful NUWSS and the more militant WSPU. It also reflects on the transformative impact of World War I on women's societal roles and culminates in the eventual granting of equal voting rights in 1928.

Takeaways

• 😀 The term 'suffragette' was first coined by the Daily Mail in 1906, but many female suffragists campaigned for women's rights before that.
• 😀 The women's suffrage movement involved various societies in the 1800s, with 16 groups promoting female suffrage, including the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies (NUWSS), founded in 1897.
• 😀 While well-known figures like Emmeline Pankhurst and Millicent Fawcett are recognized for their contributions, lesser-known suffragists like Ada Nield Chew and May Billinghurst also played crucial roles.
• 😀 Ada Nield Chew was a working-class suffragist who campaigned for women's rights, better working conditions, and better treatment of women in the workplace.
• 😀 May Billinghurst, despite being paralyzed from the waist down due to illness, participated in physically demanding suffrage activities and was a vocal member of the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU).
• 😀 May Billinghurst was severely assaulted by the police during the infamous 'Black Friday' demonstration in 1910 and was later imprisoned for one month in 1912 for window-smashing.
• 😀 The suffragette movement became more militant after 1912, with some suffragists using violent actions to advance their cause, leading to higher prosecution and imprisonment rates for leaders.
• 😀 There was a divide in how suffragettes were perceived—some viewed them as militants akin to anarchists or terrorist organizations, while others, like June Purvis, rejected this label.
• 😀 From 1903 to 1914, the peaceful NUWSS worked on presenting moral arguments for suffrage, while the more militant WSPU gained attention through dramatic and controversial actions.
• 😀 The outbreak of the First World War in 1914 dramatically shifted the suffrage narrative. Women's roles in society were transformed during the war years, which ultimately led to the granting of suffrage to women in 1918, albeit only for those over 30.
• 😀 The Representation of the People Act in 1918 granted women over 30 the right to vote, and further reforms in 1928 finally provided equality, allowing women to vote at the same age as men, 21.

Q & A

What is the common image people associate with the term 'suffragette'?

The common image of a suffragette is often a well-dressed Edwardian lady wearing a big hat and engaging in disruptive activities, such as protesting or making a nuisance of herself.

What was at stake during the suffragette movement?

During the suffragette movement, critical issues were at stake, including women's rights, their treatment in the workplace, wages, their roles in the home, and the broader concept of what a woman was and should be in society.

Who coined the term 'suffragette' and when?

The term 'suffragette' was first coined by the Daily Mail in 1906.

What significant event took place in 1897 related to women's suffrage?

In 1897, many suffrage societies came together to form the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies (NUWSS), which played a central role in advocating for women's right to vote.

Who were Ada Nield Chew and May Billinghurst?

Ada Nield Chew was a working-class suffragist who advocated for better working conditions and women's rights. May Billinghurst, despite being paralyzed from the waist down, was an active suffragist who participated in physically demanding demonstrations, such as the 'Black Friday' protest.

What was 'Black Friday' in the suffrage movement?

Black Friday refers to a protest on November 18, 1910, where May Billinghurst and other suffragists were violently assaulted by the police during a demonstration in London.

How did the suffragists use militant tactics after 1912?

After 1912, suffragist leaders increasingly faced prosecution, with some being sentenced to jail time. The suffragettes began to use more militant tactics, including acts of vandalism, and were sometimes compared to anarchists and militant trade unions.

How did the government view suffragists after 1912?

The government increasingly viewed suffragists as dangerous, prosecuting them for conspiracy and labeling their movement as potentially terrorist-like due to their more violent and disruptive tactics after 1912.

What was the stance of Emmeline Pankhurst regarding the use of violence?

Emmeline Pankhurst, despite the suffragette movement's increasingly militant actions, never advocated for the killing of anyone. She opposed any form of violence that would harm people, focusing instead on political and civil disobedience.

What was the impact of World War I on the suffrage movement?

World War I shifted the focus of the suffrage movement. The roles of women in society transformed as they took on jobs traditionally held by men. The war created strong momentum for political reform, leading to the Representation of the People Act in 1918, which gave women over the age of 30 the right to vote.

When did women finally gain full electoral equality with men?

In 1928, women gained full electoral equality with men, securing the right to vote at the age of 21, the same as men.