something that is done to attract the attention of the public

a prolonged refusal to eat, carried out in protest by a prisoner

a member of the political party which supported free trade

a woman seeking the right to vote through organised, and sometimes violent, protest

The government's response to the suffragettes

History

In this unit, pupils investigate why it took so long for women to gain the vote in Britain and the factors that influenced this delay. In the next unit, ‘Thematic study: how has the role of women in British society changed?’, pupils will explore the broader changes in women’s roles and status in British society over time.

In ‘Widening the franchise: who gained the right to vote?’, pupils explored how the voting rights expanded over time. This unit builds on this by examining why it took so long for women to achieve suffrage in Britain, focusing on the barriers and struggles faced by the suffragists and suffragettes.

In this unit, pupils analyse why it took so long for women to win the vote in Britain. They learn about the position of women in the early twentieth century, the campaigns for suffrage and the government's responses to these campaigns and women's contributions during the Great War.

Women's suffrage: why did it take so long for women to get the vote in Britain?

Discriminatory behaviour or images, whether on the grounds of race, gender, disability, religion or belief or sexual orientation, or otherwise.

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Historic or outdated representations of people that may portray inequality or injustice.

Depiction or discussion of distress or humiliation e.g. bullying.

Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying

Depiction or discussion of violence or fighting, including threats of violence or the aftermath of violence.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

a woman seeking suffrage through organised and violent protest

Complete the sentence: WSPU protestors carried out publicity stunts, such as chaining themselves to {{}} outside important buildings like the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace.

What did the suffragettes call the law the government passed which released female prisoners on hunger strike?

to capture the attention of the newspapers

to show the lengths that women would go to in order to gain suffrage

to make the public turn against the campaign

Why did the suffragettes carry out publicity stunts?

Which of the following countries had granted female suffrage by 1914?

Complete the sentence: The {{}} government refused to concede to the violent and disruptive tactics of the suffragettes.

used radical tactics like arson and vandalism

Match the statements to the correct women's suffrage group.

Which of the following are NOT examples of tactics the WSPU were known for using?

how many signatures they needed for a petition

which women should actually be allowed to vote

Which of the following issues were the WSPU divided on?

Who was an Indian princess, goddaughter to Queen Victoria and member of the WSPU?

How many members of the WSPU were imprisoned for acts of sabotage in Holloway Prison in London?

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Adult supervision recommended

Starter Quiz