What is the Suffrage Movement



THE SUFFRAGE MOVEMENT



The Suffrage Movement in Britain was between 1850 and 1920 and the plight for woman's right to vote was first highlighted as early as 1792 when Mary Wollstonecraft published 'Vindication of the Rights of Women'.

Millicent Fawcett (1847-1929)

The main argument to support the Suffrage movement was the right to vote for women. Although the right to vote for women was not granted until as late as 1918, it did not stop a tireless campaign by Suffragettes and Suffragists to secure their right to vote, along with other issues such as the right to education and the right to keep property and assets once married.

The Suffrage movement faced opposition from almost every angle, the most defiant opposition was in fact from a female, namely Queen Victoria, who in 1870 stated "Let women be what God intended, a helpmate for men, but with totally different duties and vocations".

The Suffragists, belonged to the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies(NUWSS). This society was founded in 1897 by Millicent Fawcett (1847-1929). The Suffragists encouraged and believed in campaigning peacefully by means of petitions, public meetings, posters and lobbying.

Emmeline Pankhurst (1858-1928)

The Suffragettes belonged to the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU). The WSPU was formed in 1903 by leading activist Emmeline Pankhurst (1858-1928). The WSPU's formation was born out frustration at the lack of progress made by The NUWSS.

Although united in the same cause, the Suffragettes (NUWSS) and Suffragists (WSPU) were somewhat divided in their campaign style and tactics.

The Suffragettes were not adverse to using somewhat guerrilla tactics to raise awareness to their campaign, some of these tactics included chaining themselves to the railings of Government buildings and carrying out criminal acts of vandalism such as smashing windows, which led to prison sentences being handed out, paving a clear path for a more peaceful campaign by the Suffragists.

The first world war proved instrumental to the whole Suffrage movement. The declaration of war against Germany in 1914 had a large percentage of the male population being sent off to war. This created a void in the work force, requiring women to fill the roles of their male counterparts.

With a dramatic decrease in the campaigning by both the NUWSS and the WSPU, Millicent Fawcett took the initiative to form an alliance with leading political figures and secure support for the Suffrage cause. This led to an act being passed in Parliament in 1918 which allowed women over 30,who met certain property qualifications, to have the right to vote. The act was amended in 1928 and allowed all women over the age of 21 to the right to vote.