The struggle for the vote for women

The social, political and legal position of women

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Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU)
Founded in 1903 by Emmeline Pankhurst, who previously founded the WFL (women's vote in local elections)
Wanteds results quickley- used violence and got arrested, especially after 1912. Chained themselves to railings, physically abused polliticians, smashed windows/paintings
PM Asquith was against women having the vote
Emily Davison was killed on Derby Day (Epsom) June 1913- killed by the king's horse whilst trying to put the Suffragette flag on the horse

Violence put of support but raised awareness
many suffragettes went on hunger strike in prison- force fed
'Cat and Mouse Act'- governement let out Suffragettes to recover from hunger strike then rearrested them

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During WW1, women did men's jobs when they were fighting (bus conductors, factory workers,farmers, nurses etc which helped the war effort)
The voting system had to change anyway. Currently only men who had lived at the same address for a year could vote. Had to change for soldiers
Attitudes to women had changed, they were grateful for their contribution to the war effort
Suffragettes had stopped campaiging over the war- no one wanted them to start again
Representation of the people's act became law in 1918- women over 30 could vote if they were a householder or married to one and all men over 21
Women could become MPs (Nancy Astor, 1919)
All women over 21 could vote in 1928- equal voting rights

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