15.3.1

Women’s Enfranchisement

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Women’s Enfranchisement

In 1916, the government proposed a draft of the ‘Representation of the People Act’ to change the voting law.

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Representation of the People Act

  • The ‘Representation of the People Act’ would allow all men to vote.
    • Millions of men serving the country in the trenches did not then have the right to vote under the current legislation.
  • Women saw their chance and worked to persuade the Prime Minister David Lloyd George that women should also be allowed to vote.
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Voting success

  • In June 1917, MPs passed the new law by 385 votes to 55.
  • In January 1918, the House of Lords passed the Representation of the People Act by 134 votes to 71.
  • The Representation of the People Act became law in February 1918.
    • The Act meant all men over 21 could now vote.
    • All women over the age of 30 and women over 21 who were householders or married to a householder could also now vote.
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Equal Franchise Act

  • In 1928, the Equal Franchise Act was passed.
  • The Equal Franchise Act gave all men and women over the age of 21 the vote.
  • The Equal Franchise Act was the first time there was equality in voting laws for men and women in the UK.

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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