The government's response to the suffragettes
I can explain why the WSPU employed increasingly violent tactics and why they had little response or sympathy from government.
The government's response to the suffragettes
I can explain why the WSPU employed increasingly violent tactics and why they had little response or sympathy from government.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- WSPU protestors began undertaking publicity stunts, such as chaining themselves to railings outside parliament.
- From 1908 some women in prison began going on hunger strike, and they were force fed by the government.
- In 1913 the government passed a law that released female prisoners on hunger strike, dubbed the Cat and Mouse Act.
- Emily Davison threw herself in front of the King's horse in 1913 and died a few days later.
- The Liberal government refused to concede to the violent and disruptive tactics of the suffragettes.
Common misconception
Britain was the first country to give women the right to vote.
New Zealand was the first country in which women gained the right to vote, in 1893. Australia was the next, nine years later.
Keywords
Publicity stunt - something that is done to attract the attention of the public
Hunger strike - a prolonged refusal to eat, carried out in protest by a prisoner
Liberal - a member of the political party which supported free trade
Suffragette - a woman seeking the right to vote through organised, and sometimes violent, protest
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
- Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
also known as suffragists
also known as suffragettes
used peaceful tactics like petitions
used radical tactics like arson and vandalism
their leader was Millicent Fawcett
their leader was Emmeline Pankhurst
Exit quiz
6 Questions
a woman seeking suffrage through organised and violent protest
a prolonged refusal to eat, carried out in protest by a prisoner
something that is done to attract the attention of the public