Although this essay only needs to discuss the actions of the Suffragettes, it is important however to include the fact that there were two major parties involved in the women’s suffrage movement. This is to highlight the different tactics they chose to use in order to address the statement made previously with regards to public perception, which will be addressed in due course. Both the NUWSS, headed by Millicent Fawcett, and the WSPU, lead by the infamous Mrs. Pankhurst and her daughters, shared a common focus. They both campaigned vigorously prior to the Great War towards the franchise for women. The NUWSS wanted, peacefully, to persuade the government to grant women the vote, whereas the Suffragettes believed that the only way to engage the government was to partake in a more dramatic campaign and capture the attention of the media. It is important to highlight that a woman needed the support of her husband in order to join either of these organisations.
Public demonstrations, rallies and the disruption of important government meetings marked the beginning of the Suffragette campaign. They began to use a more militant approach, commonly referred to as sensation mongering, such as arson attacks, smashing windows and chaining themselves to gates in big cities to gain publicity. The fateful death of Emily Wilding-Davison who hurled herself in front of the King’s horse at the Epsom Derby of 4 June 1913 resulted in the Suffragettes having the first martyr for their cause. As the militant actions of the Suffragettes escalated, the public gradually became hostile, questioning the judgment of the women involved. As the militant actions of the Suffragettes escalated, the public gradually became hostile, questioning the judgment of the women involved.
‘Militancy...was seen as a reflection of the widespread instability of women, and of fanatical and hysterical women more particularly. (Bartley.P 1998 p.54).
In fact, it created a counter-organisation, the National Anti-Suffrage League in 1908.
‘More important was the opposition to the WSPU from the NUWSS. Mrs. Fawcett claimed that the Suffragettes did more harm than good for the cause of votes for women. (20th Century History Review, 2007)
Despite the hostility created by these two groups, the WSPU were continuously experiencing a rapid expansion to their campaign through every increasing membership.
In response to public opposition, the Suffragettes retaliated by arguing that the increase in militancy was needed;
‘…in response to the failure of years of peaceful campaigning to which politicians were seen to have turned a deaf ear...If the government chose to treat women roughly then it too would be intimidated.’ (Bartley.P 1998 p.55).
The latter part of the quote is a response the Suffragettes used in protest of the Cat and Mouse Act, 1913. This act, passed by the Liberal Government, was imposed on any woman who went on hunger strike whilst in prison. The women were left to starve and as they became extremely weak they would be released. As soon as they were healthy enough to return to protest, they would be arrested and the whole episode would begin again.
The militant protests as discussed were widely reported in the media, although no mention of the Suffragettes was allowed to be included. Violent action was becoming a part of every day life, especially into the early 20th century. Nevertheless, the announcement of the Great War in August 1914 saw The United Kingdom officially at war with Germany. The WSPU decided to suspend their suffrage activities and called upon its membership to support the war effort. This was a tactical manoeuvre, as well as a patriotic one. The fight for women’s suffrage was not over but simply on hold until the War was over at least. Meanwhile, it gave the women in society their chance to prove their right to full democratic equality through filling posts customarily held by men; women of all social classes were absorbed into the effort in some form and played a crucial part on the Home Front. Indeed, many women from the upper and middle classes in particular, were entering into occupations that would have never before been deemed acceptable during peacetime. They were also being paid for their work, something which for some was previously unknown. In contrast, working class women were no strangers to the workforce. However, many were given the opportunity to leave domestic service and take up more prominent positions.
It is important to the debate to highlight the way in which women throughout society displayed tremendous unity on the Home Front during the Great War.
‘The obvious effect was that women’s contribution to the war effort was seen and appreciated and that women, instead of being subjected to frequent criticism in the press and by public figures, were very generally praised.’
(Rover.C 1967)
As shared hardships began to surface, a more equal society was beginning to emerge, although there were significant class divides when it came to the choice of job a woman was allowed to carry out. Upper class women became increasingly involved in heading food campaigns and advising the Government on health and employment issues. As the War continued, a Land Army, followed by the Auxiliary Army Corps was established. Women within the upper class managed both, whilst working class women had to endure tough manual labour and long hours, for very little money and often just their bed and board. Middle class women also had higher-ranking jobs within the various women’s services as well as taking up clerical positions and distribution work. The street positions were generally available to working class women. They undertook jobs sweeping the streets, cleaning windows and most importantly in the munitions factories. The ‘canary girls’, a common term often used to describe the courageous munitions workers, were generally working class women under the age of thirty. The nation admired these courageous girls for undertaking such positions and helping supply the frontline with the ammunition they needed in order to fight for their beloved country.
‘The war emphasised the participation of women in the everyday life of the nation…as we might say today, women’s ‘public image’ changed and improved.’ (Rover.C 1967)
Undoubtedly, the War had changed the political situation in Britain. The Government had taken serious steps towards fighting the unruly Suffragettes before the outbreak of war. The suffragettes had tried to convince the Liberals to introduce legislation in order to increase suffrage, something which ultimately divided the party. The then Chancellor of the Exchequer, David Lloyd George was in favour of the idea, whereas Asquith believed it would have a detrimental effect on the stability of the Liberal Government. Other aspects of electoral reform also need to be considered, under the legislation stated in the 1884 Reform Act, not all adult males were allowed to vote. If men had not been resident in their constituency for twelve months, they were no longer entitled to their vote. In testing times, when men had been away fighting for King and country, it was impossible for the Government to even consider the question of women’s suffrage. They urgently needed to reconsider new reforms to replace outdated legislation with regards to men and their right to vote.
All attempts to extend votes for women prior to 1914 had failed. Asquith could not have been seen to give in to the violent antics of the Suffragettes, although he did hint later that he was prepared to give women the vote but the War delayed such plans. After the War, drastic changes in legislation were needed for various reasons. There was a need for franchise reform in general as under the prevailing rules large numbers of soldiers were ineligible to vote. Several Suffrage supporters were promoted to the cabinet, altering the balance between those who were in favour of the vote for women and those who opposed it. Finally, Lloyd George replaced Asquith as Prime Minister in 1916. All these changes, along with significant work displayed by women on the Home Front, played their part in the Government allowing the enfranchisement of women. It could also be argued that:
‘Britain was merely reflecting an international trend towards full democracy. Women in New Zealand, Australia, Finland, Denmark and Norway had already been enfranchised…It would be a peculiar embarrassment if the mother of democracy, Britain, lagged behind other countries.’ (Bartley.P 1998)
Finally, February 1918 saw the Representation of the People’s Act award women over thirty years of age the right to vote in parliamentary elections. In November of the same year, the War had ended and Britain had gained a victory over Germany. It is important, however, to emphasise the fact that the poor, generally working class women, that worked tirelessly throughout the War were not represented in the Act. It took a further five years for an act to be officially passed through Parliament so that women could vote. Eventually, 1928 saw the age qualification abolished - finally, women were able to cast their vote at twenty-one, alongside men.
This essay has detailed and discussed the actions of the Suffragettes and the power of their campaign in gaining the vote for women. The decision they took to halt their protests once the announcement came that war had been declared was both patriotic but calculated. During the War the spirit of unification by women of all classes played a significant part in them earning the vote. They pulled together in true, British spirit whilst the Government was often ruthless and ignorant of their cause. The Suffragettes’ campaigns to enfranchise women raised awareness of the issues and prepared the way. The admirable way in which women conducted themselves during the Great War, taking on roles usually reserved for men, had a major impact on the stance of the Government. The War was key in providing the opportunity for the Suffragettes to abandon militancy, to demonstrate patriotic loyalty and, ultimately, to deserve the right to vote.
by
florence1981 (student)
