New
New
Year 9
The suffragettes
I can explain why some women were frustrated at the lack of progress of the NUWSS and why the more radical WSPU was formed.
New
New
Year 9
The suffragettes
I can explain why some women were frustrated at the lack of progress of the NUWSS and why the more radical WSPU was formed.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- Some suffragists were becoming disillusioned with the lack of progress made by the NUWSS.
- In 1903 the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) was formed by Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters.
- The WSPU employed more radical tactics, such as large demonstrations.
- The aims of the WSPU became more conservative, only aiming to vote on the same terms as men.
- The actions of the WSPU became more violent from 1906.
Keywords
Suffrage - the right to vote
Suffragist - a person advocating for the extension of the right to vote; especially to women
Suffragette - a woman seeking the right to vote through organised, and sometimes violent, protest
Radical - departing from tradition
Common misconception
Suffragists were the same as suffragettes.
One way for pupils to remember the difference is that the suffraGETtes wanted to GET things done - deeds not words.
Various UK archives websites can be used to research the lives and activities of members of the WSPU. There are also some helpful articles about the lives of Princess Sophia Duleep Singh and Annie Kenney, suffragettes who challenge the stereotype of women's suffrage campaigners.
Teacher tip
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
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).Lesson video
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Starter quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
Which keyword describes having the right to vote?
Q2.
Complete the sentence: In __________, Millicent Fawcett set up the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies (NUWSS).
1914
1900
1895
Q3.
What is the alternative name that members of the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies (NUWSS) were known by?
Q4.
Which class in society did radical NUWSS members come from?
middle-class
high-class
Q5.
Which MP supported the NUWSS by presenting a petition to parliament on their behalf?
Henry Fawcett
Lord John Russell
Elizabeth Fawcett
Q6.
Which of the following are examples of tactics the NUWSS used?
chaining themselves to railings
vandalism
Exit quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
Which keyword describes departing from tradition?
Q2.
Complete the sentence: In __________ the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) was formed by Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters.
1897
1914
1900
Q3.
What is the alternative name that members of the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) were known by?
Q4.
Which of the following are examples of tactics the WSPU used?
petitions
lobbying MPs
Q5.
Complete the sentence: The aims of the WSPU became more , only aiming to get the right to vote on the same terms as men.
liberal
communist
Q6.
Why did Emmeline Pankhurst found the WSPU?
She was patient with the suffragists’ significant lack of progress
She believed that speeches and petitions had furthered the cause
Additional material
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