How important was World War One in Bringing about the Change of Attitude towards Women and their right to vote?

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How important was World War One in Bringing about the Change of Attitude towards Women and their right to vote?

There were many reasons why attitudes towards women changed during World War One. The war was such a big deal to everyone in Britain that they stopped doing their usual work to help with the war effort. This included the Suffragettes and the Suffragists. During WWI, men were required to go to the front line. This increase in recruitment to the front line meant that there vast vacancies for women. The female members of the society took over an assortment of jobs. This included working in munitions factories and engineering workshops. All of these jobs were previously protected by qualified and skilled men and trade unions. This opportunity allowed women to prove themselves to men and show them that they are just as good as them. In addition to this, the women were successful in doing this as the government quickly realised that they could not ignore all the work women were doing towards providing help for the soldiers on the front line. The government also realised that they could not win the war without the help of the women. This realisation meant that they had to change their attitudes; something they eventually did. This showed that the war helped to change political attitudes as well as bridge the gap between the two sexes.

The war was responsible for many social changes. This was because, as soon as the war started, people forgot about their classes as this did not seem to matter anymore. All Victorian values were abandoned as people were more focused in helping each other and their country. Women discarded their social etiquettes as they had more important issues, like a person’s life, to worry about.

The votes for women scenario was rekindled when it was obvious that men who were present at the front line could not vote. However, they still wanted a say in how their country was being run as they were risking their lives for it. The fact that these men wanted a say meant that the ‘old-fashioned residential qualification’ had to change. This brought the issue of the women’s vote back into play. Finally, in 1917, after many discussions, the government passed a bill which stated that women could vote from the age of thirty. This temporary bill became permanent law in 1918. For the Suffragettes, this was a great compromise as to them this was a clear sign of equality for women.

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After the war, as well as being allowed to vote, women over thirty were also allowed to own property without any male influence. This was a huge step for women as they were slowly creeping out of the male shadow; which they had lived under for centuries.

Another accomplishment for women was the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act of 1919. In theory, this was to give women the opportunity to sit on a jury, become magistrates or enter the highest levels in civil services. This was also the year when nursing was recognised as a full profession. In addition ...

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