The suffragists did not demand in getting the vote for all women. They wanted women to have the vote on the same term as men. They saw their campaigns not as an attack on male suffrage but for the good of everyone. They used peaceful methods of trying to direct public opinion towards the fact that women should have the vote. They did not use violence instead just issued leaflets and held meetings with politicians to discuss the issue of women’s suffrage.
But, by 1903 women’s suffrage was getting no further and Mrs Emmeline Pankhurst, a member of the Manchester Suffrage Society, grew tired of Labour’s lukewarm attitude of votes for women and set up the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU).Mrs Pankhurst thought that the movement had to be more radical and militant if it was to gain any success. The Daily Mail called these new radicals ‘Suffragettes’.
The suffragettes believed in ‘Deeds Not Words’ and turned to more violent methods. The suffragettes caused havoc, disrupted political meetings, abused minister and even burned buildings. The Liberal Prime Minister at the time Asquith, who was strongly opposed to women’s suffrage, came under particular abuse.
The suffragists some would argue were very effective, towards getting women the vote. They raised awareness of women’s suffrage by collecting petitions (in 1910, they collected a petition of 280,000 signatures), arguing with politicians and by training women to speak in public meetings. They were effective in helping get women the vote by holding their first march in London. In 1907, there was a march known as the ‘mud march (because of the weather), over 3000 women marched. Many men surprised to see so many women marching in public for their cause. This showed dedication by the suffragists.
The suffragettes were effective in getting women the vote because of their violent methods. Their methods often included burning buildings and chaining themselves to railing in protest. These methods gained publicity. One of the most publicised actions for the suffragettes was the death of Emily Davison.
On 5 June 1913, the famous horse race, the Epsom Derby took place. It was an occasion where anything that happened would gain great publicity. Amongst the crowd, were members of the royal family, politicians, photographers and reporters. Emily Davison thought this would be an ideal time to gain attention to the suffragette cause. As the horses rounded the corner, Ms Davison ran onto the track and tried to grab one of the horses. Emily misjudged the speed of the horse and was thrown onto the ground and fatally fractured her skull by a blow from a horse’s hoof.
It was initially thought that she succeeded in trying to commit suicide in a public place so she could act as a martyr for suffragettes all around the country. The methods of the suffragettes were getting more and more extreme – a martyr would have been useful.
But later it emerged that she was trying to attach a suffragette banner to the winning horse, in hope that its picture would be taken to raise publicity for the suffragette cause. The horse would finish the race with the banner flying in the air.
Emily Davison’s funeral was attended by thousands of suffragettes who saw her actions as the ultimate and utmost sacrifice to the suffragette cause. Emily had paid the ultimate price for publicity – her life.
There was no doubt that the suffragettes increased support for women’s suffrage. But they also were damaging their own cause. Their violence gave MP’s a reason to reject women’s suffrage. If Parliament gave into violence they would have to give in to other major violent protest including the Irish protesting for home rule and the dock workers protesting for higher wages.
However, the situation changed in 1914, when Britain declared war on Germany. Both groups of campaigners called of the protests during the war and agreed to help Britain fight the war.
After the war, women gained more respect. This was because of their work during the war for Britain. Women were allowed to own property, divorce their partners and even fight in the army. In 1917, women over 30 were allowed to vote.
In conclusion, I think that the Suffragettes did the most to get women the vote. Even though their violent methods gave Parliament a reason not give women the vote, after the war they had no choice since women played a major role during Britain’s victory. Suffragettes generated publicity towards getting the vote especially Emily Davison, who gave her life whilst trying to get women the vote. Also, their violent methods made government more serious about giving women the vote, even before the war. The past decade of Suffragist campaigning only created empty promises from MP’s.
