"Without The First World War British Women Would Not Have Gained The Right To Vote In 1918"

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 “Without The First World War British Women Would Not Have Gained The Right To Vote In 1918

I disagree with the statement that, if it were not for the War, women would never have gained the right to vote.

 Between 1900 and 1914 the many Female movements applied a vast amount of pressure on the Government. Making British women’s suffrage inevitability rather than a possibility. The reason why they did achieve the vote in 1918 was not because of the Suffragette or Suffragist movements, neither was it solely because of the female involvement in the War. Rather that it is unjustifiable to not allow someone mentally capable a say in politics, when politics affects their way of life.

 Many who argued against women being allowed suffrage were Politicians, for example Source C: An argument against votes for women, from a speech made in 1912 by Lord Curzon, a Conservative leader. “Women do not have the experience to be able to vote. But there are other problems as well: the way women have been educated, their lack of strength, and the duties they have. If women did gain the vote, it would mean that most voters would be women. What would be the effects of this on the Government?” These were the general lines of argument that opposing members of Female suffrage used. If anything, politicians feared the possible implications Women having the vote would have.

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Source A: The importance of the vote. From a speech made by Emmeline Pankhurst in March 1908, Emmeline Pankhurst was the leader of the militant Suffragette movement. “It is important that women should have the vote so that, in the Government of the country, the women’s point of view can be put forward.” The supporters of Women’s suffrage argued that it was unfair not to allow women the vote. Obtaining the vote was part of Women’s striving for equality in modern society. Ultimately the vote was the most important, as it allowed women the right to vote on other forms ...

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