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3 Jan 2026
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Importance of Women Gaining the Right to Vote: Higher History Essay
Tyra-Angel
@xt_ang_studyx
1 / 4
Changing Attitudes Towards Women
Society's views on women started shifting well before 1918, though painfully slowly. The Married Women's Property Acts (1882 and 1893) gave women control over their own money and belongings for the first time - imagine not being able to keep your own wages!
Education became a game-changer when universal schooling was introduced in the 1870s. Women began entering universities and landing 'white collar' jobs in law, medicine, and administration. This proved they could handle responsible positions and make smart decisions.
However, these changes weren't enough on their own. Women still couldn't get degrees (despite doing the work), and society expected them to quit their jobs once married. The frustration of seeing progress but still being held back pushed many women towards more dramatic action.
Key Point: Changing attitudes laid important groundwork, but progress was too slow for many women who wanted real change in their lifetimes.
The Suffragettes: "Deeds Not Words"
Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters led the most radical approach to winning women's suffrage. Their motto "deeds not words" meant they were done asking nicely - it was time for action that couldn't be ignored.
During their "wild period" (1912-1914), suffragettes cut telegraph wires, firebombed buildings, and even attacked Prime Minister Asquith whilst he played golf. When imprisoned, many followed Marion Dunlop's hunger strikes, leading to horrific force-feeding through tubes.
These extreme tactics created massive media coverage that forced the government to address women's suffrage seriously. The "Cat and Mouse Act" of 1914 tried to control suffragettes by releasing them when weak from hunger strikes, then re-arresting them when recovered.
The government's failure to control these determined women made them look weak and incompetent. To regain public support and show they were still in charge, politicians finally granted some women the vote in 1918.
Key Point: The suffragettes' willingness to break laws and endure brutal treatment proved women's determination and forced the government to act.
Suffragists, War Work, and International Pressure
Millicent Fawcett's suffragists took a completely different approach - peaceful campaigns, petitions, and education rather than violence. By 1914, they had 53,000 members showing there was huge support for women's suffrage. Their calm, law-abiding methods proved women could be trusted with political responsibility.
During WWI, women stepped into vital roles through the Women's Land Army and as "canaries" in munitions factories (nicknamed for their yellow skin from chemical exposure). The Glasgow rent strikes of 1915 showed women's political power when they successfully fought greedy landlords trying to exploit soldiers' families.
International pressure also played a role - countries like New Zealand (1893) and Finland (1906) had already given women the vote. Britain, calling itself the "mother of democracy," looked backward compared to these nations.
Yet French women contributed just as much during the war but didn't get the vote, suggesting Britain's decision wasn't really a "thank you" for war work.
Key Point: Multiple factors supported women's suffrage, but only women over 30 who owned property actually got to vote in 1918 - excluding many who'd contributed during the war.
Why the Suffragettes Were Most Important
Looking at all the evidence, the suffragettes were the most crucial factor in winning women the vote in 1918. Whilst changing attitudes, suffragist campaigns, war work, and international examples all mattered, none created the urgent pressure that forced government action.
The suffragettes' dramatic tactics - however controversial - generated massive publicity and showed women's absolute determination. When the government couldn't control them through imprisonment and force-feeding, it became clear that ignoring women's demands wasn't working.
The "Cat and Mouse Act" backfired spectacularly when suffragettes kept avoiding re-arrest, making the government look incompetent. Politicians realised they needed to grant the vote to restore their authority and public confidence.
Other factors were important but insufficient alone. Changing attitudes moved too slowly, suffragists lacked dramatic impact, and war work didn't guarantee voting rights (as France proved). The suffragettes created the crisis that demanded immediate political response.
Key Point: Sometimes peaceful progress isn't enough - the suffragettes proved that determined, disruptive action could achieve in years what decades of patient campaigning couldn't deliver.
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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.
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This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
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
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Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
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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
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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
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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.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
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
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
Importance of Women Gaining the Right to Vote: Higher History Essay
Tyra-Angel
@xt_ang_studyx
Ever wondered why it took until 1918 for some women in Britain to finally get the vote? Before this breakthrough, women were considered second-class citizens whose main job was looking after home and family whilst men were seen as the... Show more
Changing Attitudes Towards Women
Society's views on women started shifting well before 1918, though painfully slowly. The Married Women's Property Acts (1882 and 1893) gave women control over their own money and belongings for the first time - imagine not being able to keep your own wages!
Education became a game-changer when universal schooling was introduced in the 1870s. Women began entering universities and landing 'white collar' jobs in law, medicine, and administration. This proved they could handle responsible positions and make smart decisions.
However, these changes weren't enough on their own. Women still couldn't get degrees (despite doing the work), and society expected them to quit their jobs once married. The frustration of seeing progress but still being held back pushed many women towards more dramatic action.
Key Point: Changing attitudes laid important groundwork, but progress was too slow for many women who wanted real change in their lifetimes.
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The Suffragettes: "Deeds Not Words"
Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters led the most radical approach to winning women's suffrage. Their motto "deeds not words" meant they were done asking nicely - it was time for action that couldn't be ignored.
During their "wild period" (1912-1914), suffragettes cut telegraph wires, firebombed buildings, and even attacked Prime Minister Asquith whilst he played golf. When imprisoned, many followed Marion Dunlop's hunger strikes, leading to horrific force-feeding through tubes.
These extreme tactics created massive media coverage that forced the government to address women's suffrage seriously. The "Cat and Mouse Act" of 1914 tried to control suffragettes by releasing them when weak from hunger strikes, then re-arresting them when recovered.
The government's failure to control these determined women made them look weak and incompetent. To regain public support and show they were still in charge, politicians finally granted some women the vote in 1918.
Key Point: The suffragettes' willingness to break laws and endure brutal treatment proved women's determination and forced the government to act.
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
Suffragists, War Work, and International Pressure
Millicent Fawcett's suffragists took a completely different approach - peaceful campaigns, petitions, and education rather than violence. By 1914, they had 53,000 members showing there was huge support for women's suffrage. Their calm, law-abiding methods proved women could be trusted with political responsibility.
During WWI, women stepped into vital roles through the Women's Land Army and as "canaries" in munitions factories (nicknamed for their yellow skin from chemical exposure). The Glasgow rent strikes of 1915 showed women's political power when they successfully fought greedy landlords trying to exploit soldiers' families.
International pressure also played a role - countries like New Zealand (1893) and Finland (1906) had already given women the vote. Britain, calling itself the "mother of democracy," looked backward compared to these nations.
Yet French women contributed just as much during the war but didn't get the vote, suggesting Britain's decision wasn't really a "thank you" for war work.
Key Point: Multiple factors supported women's suffrage, but only women over 30 who owned property actually got to vote in 1918 - excluding many who'd contributed during the war.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
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By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Why the Suffragettes Were Most Important
Looking at all the evidence, the suffragettes were the most crucial factor in winning women the vote in 1918. Whilst changing attitudes, suffragist campaigns, war work, and international examples all mattered, none created the urgent pressure that forced government action.
The suffragettes' dramatic tactics - however controversial - generated massive publicity and showed women's absolute determination. When the government couldn't control them through imprisonment and force-feeding, it became clear that ignoring women's demands wasn't working.
The "Cat and Mouse Act" backfired spectacularly when suffragettes kept avoiding re-arrest, making the government look incompetent. Politicians realised they needed to grant the vote to restore their authority and public confidence.
Other factors were important but insufficient alone. Changing attitudes moved too slowly, suffragists lacked dramatic impact, and war work didn't guarantee voting rights (as France proved). The suffragettes created the crisis that demanded immediate political response.
Key Point: Sometimes peaceful progress isn't enough - the suffragettes proved that determined, disruptive action could achieve in years what decades of patient campaigning couldn't deliver.
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?
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4.9/5
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4.8/5
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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
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
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
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.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
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
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