15.2.3

The Escalation of the Suffragettes (WSPU)

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The Escalation of the Suffragettes (WSPU)

The suffragettes began to escalate their actions in 1908 and went even further with violence in 1912 and 1913.

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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.
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Procession and imprisonment

  • In 1908, the suffragettes organised a procession in London.
    • The Prime Minister H. H. Asquith did not do anything.
    • In response, suffragettes smashed windows in Downing Street and chained themselves to railings.
  • The suffragettes were sent to prison.
    • In prison, suffragettes demanded to be treated as political prisoners.
    • The suffragettes went on hunger strike in prison.
    • The government started force-feeding the suffragettes to avoid dead women on their hands.
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Increase of violence

  • From 1912 to 1913, suffragette violence increased.
    • Buildings were bombed.
    • Letterboxes were destroyed.
    • There were massive window-smashing campaigns.
    • Emily Davison died after running out in front of the King's horse at the Epsom Derby.
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Cat and Mouse Act

  • In 1913, the Government introduced the Cat and Mouse Act.
    • Women were allowed to go on hunger strike in prison.
    • Women were released when they became ill from hunger strike and then re-arrested when they had recovered.

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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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