Why had women not gained the right to vote before 1914?

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Gavin Ackroyd - Draft 1

Why had women not gained the right to vote before 1914?

In 1914 women living In the UK did not have the right to vote. There were many reasons for this including, the way men thought of women, the fact some women weren't concerned, the violent way the suffragettes had been acting in an effort to get the vote.

It was popular opinion amongst men that women were less intelligent and unable to hold the same position in society as them. It was accepted that women belonged to a Victorian social sphere, in which a women's place was in the home and she should look after her man. Women generally weren't highly educated and people very much disagreed with them breaking out of these social spheres.

Arguments made against women's suffrage were made, in effect saying,

- They could not defend their country if it was at war

- It was a medical fact that women had smaller brains and could not keep to a decision

- If women were given the vote many other non-voting social groups would then have to be
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These social ideals set aside for women differed throughout the classes.

An upper class woman would be encouraged to settle down and marry. Once married she would not have to care for the house as this was the job of maids etc. An upper class woman's life was very much wrapped up in indulgence, going to parties, social events, shopping. This era didn't effect them greatly and for obvious reasons they generally weren't interested in voting.

The middle class woman's life was much different. Again they were encouraged to settle down, marry and start a ...

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