15.2.1

The Suffragists (NUWSS)

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The Campaign for Women’s Suffrage

Women started campaigning to gain the vote in the 1800s.

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Women's voting

  • By the start of the 20th century, members of Parliament (MPs) were under more pressure to give women the vote.
  • Between 1906 and 1913, new laws to give women the vote were put to parliament six times.
    • The proposals failed each time.
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Early suffrage efforts

  • In 1866, campaigners set up a petition demanding votes for women.
    • The petition gained 1500 signatures but was rejected.
  • In 1867, Lydia Becker formed the Manchester Society for Women's Suffrage.
    • Similar societies across England in Scotland were set up in places such as London, Bristol, Birmingham and Edinburgh.
    • The separate groups kept the campaign going by organising more petitions, writing, and lecturing.
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The Suffragists (NUWSS)

  • In 1897, Millicent Fawcett linked all the different suffrage organisations into the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies (NUWSS).
  • The National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies (NUWSS) was a national organisation.
  • The NUWSS were known as the suffragists.
    • The National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies (NUWSS) was democratic with members electing the president and committee.
    • Fawcett was president of the NUWSS for more than 20 years.
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Expansion of NUWSS

  • By 1914, the NUWSS had over 400 branches and 100,000 members.
    • The membership was mainly middle class women, but also included working class women particularly in the North of England.
    • Men were allowed to join and a few did.
    • The NUWSS focused on using peaceful methods such as holding talks and lectures, writing letters and petitions.
  • In 1907, they organised a procession of 3000 in London.

Jump to other topics

1Empires East & West: 1000 AD

1.1The Rise & Fall of Ancient China’s Empire

1.2The Medieval Greatness of the Byzantine Empire

1.3The Golden Age of the Islamic Empire

1.4The Politics & Power of the Holy Roman Empire

1.5Medieval Religion

1.6The Influence of the Church in Medieval Times

1.7How Religion Tested the Power of Kings

1.8Dynastic Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.9Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.10Revolts, Rebellions & Rights

1.11Medieval England & Her Neighbours

1.12European Renaissance

1.13Norman Conquest & Control

1.14Historical Skills

2The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

2.1Anglo-Saxon England

2.2The Contest for the English Throne

2.3Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

2.4King John

2.5The Magna Carta & Parliament

2.6The Black Death

3Worldviews

4The Empire of Mali: 1076-1670 AD

5The Renaissance & Reformations: 1500-1598 AD

6The British Empire: 1583-1960 AD

7The Peasants' Revolt: 1381 AD

8Religion in the Middle Ages

9Slavery: 1619-1833 AD

10The English Civil War: 1642-1660 AD

11The Industrial Revolution: 1750-1840 AD

12US Independence: 1775-1783 AD

13The French Revolution: 1789-1815 AD

14The British Empire: 1857–1930 AD

15Suffrage: 1840-1928 AD

16World War 1: 1914-1918 AD

17The Inter-War Years: 1919-1939 AD

18World War 2: 1939-1945 AD

19The Cold War: 1947-1962 AD

20Civil Rights in the USA: 1954-1975 AD

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