The suffragettes campaign started in 1903. They called themselves the ‘women’s social and political union’, (WSPU).
The founder of the suffragettes was a Mrs.Pankhurst and her daughters. The suffragettes were violent women who strove to get what they wanted and nothing was going to stop them.
The suffragettes were quite the opposite to the suffragists. The suffragists were quiet women who always campaigned peacefully within the law. The suffragists were quiet women who never drew much attention to themselves, thus leading to being ignored.
Unlike the suffragists, the suffragettes were loud, unstoppable women. The organised petitions, violent protests, hunger strikes and they even chained themselves to the railings outside the Prime Ministers house; in order to shout out to everyone and anyone who would listen.
In Manchester, on October 10th 1903, Emmeline Pankhursts patience ran out. ‘Deeds not words’, was the new motto of the suffragettes. The ‘war’ to gain the vote for women had begun. the suffragettes started planning their action. On May 19th 1905, ten women went to speak with the Prime Minister. One of the women was Emily Davies, who was seventy-six years old. She had the privilege of handing over the first women’s suffrage petition to the Prime Minister. Unfortunately, the women were not taken seriously.
In 1906, Christobel Pankhurst and a fellow colleague attended a meeting held by Sir Edward Grey, a leading Liberal. At this meeting they assaulted a policeman, were arrested and sentenced to seven days in jailor pay a fine. They both refused to pay the fine! It was prison or votes for women.
In 1908, Miss Nell chained herself to the railings outside the Prime Ministers front door. She was quickly joined by Nurse Olivia Smith. Both were charged and they elected to go to jail for three weeks rather than pay a fine.
Finally in 1916, Herbert Asquith (the Prime Minister), realised it would be impossible to not think about giving women the vote. they had all contributed highly to aiding the war effort. Over the next two years many gathered in the House of Commons to decide whether women should have the vote or not. Eventually, in January 1918 women were thought to be as ‘equals’ with men and were finally given the vote.