15.2.2

The Suffragettes (WSPU)

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The Suffragettes (WSPU)

The suffragettes were set up by Emmeline Pankhurst and her two daughters Christabel and Sylvia in 1903.

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Aims of the suffragettes (WSPU)

  • Emmiline Pankhurst described the aims of the WSPU in her book ‘My Own Story, 1914’.
    • “To secure for women the Parliamentary vote as it is or may be granted to men. To limit our membership to women and to be satisfied with nothing but action on our question. ‘Deeds not words’ was to be our motto."
    • "Our members are absolutely single minded; they concentrate all forces on one object, political equality with men. No member of the WSPU divides her attention between suffrage and other social reforms.”
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WSPU and NUWSS

  • The WSPU were known as the suffragettes.
  • Similar to the NUWSS, the WSPU also had branches across the country.
  • The Pankhursts controlled the WSPU.
    • There was not the democratic election of a committee or president.
  • The reason the Pankhursts founded the suffragettes (WSPU) was they were impatient with the peaceful methods of the suffragists (NUWSS).
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WSPU arrest

  • In 1905, Christabel Pankhurst and Annie Kenney attended a meeting of the Liberal Party.
    • Christabel and Annie shouted ‘Will the Liberal Government give women the vote?’
  • The police tried to remove Christabel and Annie but Christabel spat in a policeman’s face.
    • Christabel was arrested for assault and spent 7 days in prison.
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Expansion of the WSPU

  • When Christabel was released from prison, a crowd of 2,000 people turned up.
    • The suffragettes realised militancy gave them publicity and got suffragettes in the news.
  • In 1906, the WSPU headquarters moved from Manchester to London.
    • The majority of WSPU members were middle and upper class.
    • Men were not allowed to join.

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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