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3 Dec 2025

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Higher History Essay Plan: Women's Right to Vote

1

130611788 @130611788_ezxnsiumcp

Ever wondered how women finally got the right to vote in Britain? In 1918, women over 30 gained... Show more

INTRO:
To what extent was the granting of the vote to women due to their role during the First World War?
Throughout the 19th century, the r

Women's War Work and Militant Campaigns

When World War One broke out, women stepped into roles nobody thought they could handle. Over 900,000 women worked in dangerous munitions factories, earning the nickname "canaries" because the chemicals turned their skin yellow from jaundice. Another 23,000 joined the Women's Land Army, working on farms to keep the country fed whilst men fought abroad.

This war work completely changed how society viewed women. Men began to see women as just as capable and effective as themselves, which meant they started believing women could handle political decisions too. Women also gained massive self-confidence from proving they could be independent and cope with harsh, dangerous conditions.

Meanwhile, the suffragettes had spent years using militant tactics like smashing windows, arson attacks, and sending letter bombs to MPs. Their hunger strikes in prison, started by Marion Dunlop in 1909, created huge publicity when the government violently force-fed the protesters.

Key Insight The suffragettes succeeded brilliantly at one thing - getting attention. They made national headlines regularly and forced Parliament to discuss women's rights, even if some people wanted to give women the vote just to stop the disruption.

INTRO:
To what extent was the granting of the vote to women due to their role during the First World War?
Throughout the 19th century, the r

Peaceful Campaigns and International Pressure

The suffragists (NUWSS) took a completely different approach, using "peaceful persuasion" through meetings, pamphlets, and petitions. Their smartest move was forming an alliance with the newly formed Labour Party - they'd campaign for Labour candidates who supported women's rights, which worried Liberal and Conservative politicians about losing votes.

By 1918, women had already gained voting rights in countries like New Zealand (1893), Finland (1906), and many US states. British politicians, who saw themselves as leaders of the world's greatest democracy, couldn't afford to lag behind these examples. The fact that no disasters occurred in these countries proved there was nothing to fear from women voting.

Changing social attitudes also played a role. Between 1870 and 1894, women gained rights to vote in local elections for school boards and county councils. Educational opportunities expanded too, with women's colleges opening at universities and the 1880 Education Act requiring all children, including girls, to attend school.

Reality Check However, social change was happening incredibly slowly - women still faced job discrimination and earned less than men, showing that attitudes hadn't changed as dramatically as some claimed.

The evidence suggests that women's war work was the decisive factor. Unlike the suffragist campaigns that had been going for decades with minimal progress, women gained the vote within just a few years of proving their worth during wartime. Their patriotism and sacrifice finally convinced politicians that women deserved a say in national affairs.

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History

1,015

3 Dec 2025

2 pages

Higher History Essay Plan: Women's Right to Vote

1

130611788

@130611788_ezxnsiumcp

Ever wondered how women finally got the right to vote in Britain? In 1918, women over 30 gained voting rights through the Representation of the People Act - but what actually made this happen? This historical debate explores whether it... Show more

INTRO:
To what extent was the granting of the vote to women due to their role during the First World War?
Throughout the 19th century, the r

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Women's War Work and Militant Campaigns

When World War One broke out, women stepped into roles nobody thought they could handle. Over 900,000 women worked in dangerous munitions factories, earning the nickname "canaries" because the chemicals turned their skin yellow from jaundice. Another 23,000 joined the Women's Land Army, working on farms to keep the country fed whilst men fought abroad.

This war work completely changed how society viewed women. Men began to see women as just as capable and effective as themselves, which meant they started believing women could handle political decisions too. Women also gained massive self-confidence from proving they could be independent and cope with harsh, dangerous conditions.

Meanwhile, the suffragettes had spent years using militant tactics like smashing windows, arson attacks, and sending letter bombs to MPs. Their hunger strikes in prison, started by Marion Dunlop in 1909, created huge publicity when the government violently force-fed the protesters.

Key Insight: The suffragettes succeeded brilliantly at one thing - getting attention. They made national headlines regularly and forced Parliament to discuss women's rights, even if some people wanted to give women the vote just to stop the disruption.

INTRO:
To what extent was the granting of the vote to women due to their role during the First World War?
Throughout the 19th century, the r

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Peaceful Campaigns and International Pressure

The suffragists (NUWSS) took a completely different approach, using "peaceful persuasion" through meetings, pamphlets, and petitions. Their smartest move was forming an alliance with the newly formed Labour Party - they'd campaign for Labour candidates who supported women's rights, which worried Liberal and Conservative politicians about losing votes.

By 1918, women had already gained voting rights in countries like New Zealand (1893), Finland (1906), and many US states. British politicians, who saw themselves as leaders of the world's greatest democracy, couldn't afford to lag behind these examples. The fact that no disasters occurred in these countries proved there was nothing to fear from women voting.

Changing social attitudes also played a role. Between 1870 and 1894, women gained rights to vote in local elections for school boards and county councils. Educational opportunities expanded too, with women's colleges opening at universities and the 1880 Education Act requiring all children, including girls, to attend school.

Reality Check: However, social change was happening incredibly slowly - women still faced job discrimination and earned less than men, showing that attitudes hadn't changed as dramatically as some claimed.

The evidence suggests that women's war work was the decisive factor. Unlike the suffragist campaigns that had been going for decades with minimal progress, women gained the vote within just a few years of proving their worth during wartime. Their patriotism and sacrifice finally convinced politicians that women deserved a say in national affairs.

We thought you’d never ask...

What is the Knowunity AI companion?

Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.

Where can I download the Knowunity app?

You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Is Knowunity really free of charge?

That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.

24

Smart Tools NEW

Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines

Mock Exam
Quiz
Flashcards
Essay

Similar content

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Explore the pivotal events of Scotland during World War I, including the impact of the war on industry, women's suffrage movements, and significant battles like the Somme. This comprehensive summary covers key concepts such as rent strikes, propaganda, conscription, and the socio-economic changes that shaped post-war Scotland. Ideal for National 5 revision.

HistoryHistory
S3

Women’s Suffrage Factors

Explore the key factors that contributed to women gaining the vote in 1918, including the roles of the Suffragists, Suffragettes, and the impact of WW1. This essay analyzes the effectiveness of peaceful versus militant tactics and the influence of international movements. Ideal for higher history studies.

HistoryHistory
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Students love us — and so will you.

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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

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Samantha Klich

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Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

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iOS user

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Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

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David K

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Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user