Votes for Women

Votes for Women

Background

• In the 19th century, working class women were expected to earn a living in factories or domestic service as well as raise children. They often experienced worse working conditions than men, particularly regarding wage levels.
• Well-to-do women were expected to run homes and pursue charitable causes. However, as women's education began to develop and girls' public schools and university colleges were set up, many women wanted to use their talents in the workplace. By 1900, for example, there were 300 female doctors and women also earned the right to own property. However, their status was undermined by one thing - the vote.
• The Suffragist Movement became in the 1860s with a group of middle and upper class women campaigning for the vote. By the late 1800s, the National Union of Women Suffrage Societies was set up with over 500 branches. They were led by Millicent Fawcett.

What methods did the Suffragists use?

The Suffragists believed in peaceful and constitutional means - they published leaflets, held meetings and quizzed MPS on their views. Most Liberal MPs supported votes for women but the leaders were worried that if votes were given to only wealthy women, they would vote Conservative. Most Conservatives opposed votes because they were worried it would change the traditional role of women.

What methods did the Suffragettes use?

The Suffragettes was a new movement set up by Emmeline Pankhurst following the lack of success in gaining the vote prior to 1903. Their aims were the same as the Suffragists but they used more militant action e.g. disrupting…