The Escalation of the Suffragettes (WSPU)

History: KS3, topic 15.2.3

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

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.

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.

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.

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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