Source B is another propaganda poster probably published after 1913 when the government passed an act branded ‘cat and mouse act’ by the suffragettes. It was passed to ease the situation in prisons where women were outraged at being forced fed. This is evidence that Source A was effective in gaining more support as the government felt obliged to release them but once they had recuperated they would be taken prisoner again. It shows the effectiveness of the militant campaign also through the way the poster was used to highlight what they were going through with the government. It portrays the suffragettes as the mouse, which was defenseless in the poster against the cat, the government, so they used it also effectively to try and persuade people that what the government was doing was wrong. However the source again does not show how far it was effective in achieving these aims with the public. The source is reliable because the author is definitely the suffragettes and its purpose is what the suffragettes wanted.
Source C’s purpose was only for propaganda purposes, to gain sympathy for being made to wear prison uniform. As this photograph is staged it makes it less reliable as they may be looking unhappy/be wearing more prison uniform than normal. If it was not staged it would be more reliable because it would be definite evidence that they had to wear these clothes. This source does not say much about how far the militant campaign was effective.
Source D is another photograph, of Emily Davison’s funeral in 1913. It shows the procession of her dead body after she threw herself in front of the king’s horse at an important race. The photograph shows the large turnout of people at the procession. There are lots of men and women. It shows that Emily Davison’s actions gained a lot of attention to the suffragette campaign. Although it could be seen that it is only supporters of the Suffragettes attended the funeral. Despite the funeral being publicized the suffragettes are not holding up any banners about their campaign, although some are wearing ribbons in the suffragette colors. It shows that Emily Davison’s actions were respected by many members of the public, as most of the men have taken their hats off at the procession in respect for her.
However the source does not show the full size of the amount of people that attended.
Source E is an extract from Ramsey McDonald (future Labour leader) talking of how he thought suffrage was a vital part of a socialist programme. He talks of how he has no objection to the revolution, but has a dislike of their militant tactics. He describes their actions such as window smashing ‘silly and provocative’. This shows that the suffragettes may be getting the attention of more politicians, but he feels that what they were doing was unnecessary. This shows that other politicians who may not agree with women gaining the vote, could have their views reinforced that women were irrational and ‘mad’ when they took to militant tactics. Ramsey McDonald also says ‘I wish the working women of the country who really care for the vote…would come to London and tell these pettifogging middle-class damsels…….if they do not go home they will get their heads broken’. This shows the militant campaign to be ineffective in gaining the vote and gaining equality with men because he does not even believe that they want what they are campaigning for. This could also be interpreted merely that working class women need the vote more than middle class women.
Source F is a table showing the numbers of votes for and against the Conciliation bill for women’s suffrage. At first in 1911 there are more votes for, however in 1912 more have voted against and less people for. It is the same the following year. This shows that when militant tactics increased, more people voted against the conciliation bill.
The sources show how far the suffragettes went to gain support. Although they have little evidence on actually how effective these attempts were in achieving their aims. For example, the propaganda posters show no evidence that they gained supporters for the suffragettes. Sources E and F even show militancy to be having a damaging effect on the campaign for equality with men. They show a loss of support for their tactics in the areas the suffragettes needed it most so they could gain the vote.
