History Coursework
Question 1. Why did a campaign for women’s suffrage develop in the years after 1870?
There were many reasons why campaign for Women’s Suffrage developed in the years after 1870. Following the set up of the Society for the Promotion of Women’s Suffrage in 1867 women started to believe that they could succeed and gain equal rights. During the nineteenth century, men from the working classes had successfully campaigned for the right to vote, and women were now beginning to seek the same rights. Women made up half the population, and although many worked and paid taxes, and some owned property, just as the men did, they did not have equal rights. Women were discriminated against and had little power in all sorts of ways, from marriage to industry. In the nineteenth century women were expected to marry and have children, and once married they had to stay dependant on a man and if a women work after marriage, her earnings would belong to her husband. Also, women had little choice and respect in careers and professions. It was virtually impossible for women to become doctors, engineers, architects, accountants or bankers. One profession open to women was teaching, a low status and low paid job in the 19th century. Another problem area for women was schooling. There were many educational restrictions for girls as there were few schools that provided good academic educational opportunities for girls. Women were also barred from universities, which led to them gaining low paid jobs.
