The Liberals, Votes for women and social reform (Edexcel)

War and the transformation of British society c.1903- 1928 Topic 1

Topic 1: The Liberals, votes for women and social reform

·        The activities of the women’s societies and the reaction of the authorities

·        Children’s welfare measures, old age pensions

·        Labour Exchanges 1909, the National Insurance Act 1911

The activities of the women’s societies and the reaction of the authorities

At the beginning of the 20^th century women did not have the right to vote in British general elections. Suffrage.

Society believed that women were too emotional and not intelligent enough to have the vote.

Working class single girls worked in domestic situations such as maids for the upper classes but in 1911, only 10% of married women had jobs.

 Attitudes started to change. More schools for girls were opening. Women began to go to university.

Women could vote in local elections.

 By the end of the 19^th century women started campaigning for the vote.

These women became known as suffragists.

The women were mostly upper middle or lower upper class.

Millicent Fawcett who was married to Henry Fawcett, he was a …