The Militant Suffragettes: Radical Action for Women's Voting Rights

The Suffragettes, founded by Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters, emerged as a more radical force in the fight for women's right to vote in the UK. Frustrated with the slow progress of peaceful methods, they adopted confrontational tactics to draw attention to their cause.

Key aspects of the Suffragette movement:

• Motto: "Deeds not words"
• Tactics included bombing buildings, arson of empty structures, and cutting telegraph wires
• Generated significant publicity and kept the issue in the public eye
• However, their violent methods led some to view them as terrorists

Quote: "The Suffragettes helped women gain the vote because their violent tactics gained lots of publicity so it kept them in the news and in peoples minds."

Highlight: While controversial, the Suffragettes' dramatic actions are considered by some historians to be the most impactful factor in securing partial voting rights for women in 1918.