The right to vote and the role of women in the 1920s and 1930s
I can assess the impact the campaign for female suffrage had on the role of women in British society.
The right to vote and the role of women in the 1920s and 1930s
I can assess the impact the campaign for female suffrage had on the role of women in British society.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- By 1900, many women believed the ability to vote was essential to further improve the lives of women.
- Suffragists and suffragettes campaigned for the franchise for women using very different tactics.
- Women's contribution during the First World War helped women win the franchise in 1918.
- Winning the franchise did not immediately lead to a radical transformation in the status and position of women.
- Young women in urban areas began to challenge traditional social expectations for women during the 1920s.
Keywords
Franchise - the franchise is the ability to vote
Suffrage - suffrage is the right to vote
Suffragist - a suffragist was a person who campaigned for women’s right to vote using peaceful methods
Suffragette - a suffragette was a person who campaigned for women’s right to vote using militant, sometimes violent, methods
Flapper - a flapper was a more independent, fashionable woman who challenged traditional ideas about how women were expected to behave in the 1920s
Common misconception
Winning the right to vote in 1919 led to a radical transformation in the status and position of women in society in the 1920s and 1930s.
Although the Representation of the People Act of 1919 was a significant turning point, Britain in the 1920s and 1930s remained a very patriarchal society.
To help you plan your year 9 history lesson on: The right to vote and the role of women in the 1920s and 1930s, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 9 history lesson on: The right to vote and the role of women in the 1920s and 1930s, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 3 history lessons from the Thematic study: how has the role of women in British society changed? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
the ability to vote
the right to vote
a campaigner for women’s right to vote using peaceful methods
a campaigner for women’s right to vote using militant/violent methods