The Suffragette Movement: Militant Action

The Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU), founded by Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters Sylvia and Christabel in 1903, took a more militant approach to the fight for women's suffrage. The suffragettes vs suffragists differences and actions became increasingly apparent as the WSPU adopted more aggressive tactics.

Vocabulary: Suffragettes were members of women's organizations that advocated for the right to vote through more militant methods, including civil disobedience and direct action.

The WSPU's militant tactics included:

1. Shouting over MPs during speeches
2. Holding demonstrations outside of parliament
3. Initiating a stone-throwing campaign in 1912
4. Engaging in arson attacks and blowing up buildings

These actions were designed to draw attention to the cause and put pressure on the government to act. The suffragettes believed that peaceful methods were not producing results quickly enough and that more direct action was necessary to effect change.

Highlight: The suffragettes' militant tactics led to over 200 arrests following a window-smashing campaign, which garnered significant publicity for their cause.

The liberal Prime Minister, Henry Campbell-Bannerman, initially supported the WSPU's efforts. However, as their actions became more extreme, public opinion and political support began to waver.

Example: Emily Wilding Davison, a prominent suffragette, famously stepped in front of King George V's horse at the Epsom Derby in 1913, sustaining fatal injuries in what many believe was an attempt to draw attention to the suffragette cause.

The suffragettes' militant approach was controversial, even within the women's suffrage movement. In 1907, some members who disagreed with these tactics broke away to form the Women's Freedom League, which campaigned not only for the vote but also for equal pay for women.

Comparing Suffragist and Suffragette Approaches

The women's suffrage movement in the United Kingdom was characterized by diverse approaches, with the suffragettes vs suffragists differences and actions becoming increasingly apparent as the campaign intensified. While both groups shared the ultimate goal of securing voting rights for women, their methods and philosophies differed significantly.

Suffragists (NUWSS):

• Led by Millicent Fawcett
• Advocated for peaceful and constitutional methods
• Focused on persuasion through rational argument and demonstration
• Created pamphlets, petitions, and organized peaceful demonstrations
• Trained members in public speaking and non-violent persuasion
• Organized the Great Pilgrimage from Carlisle to London in 1913

Suffragettes (WSPU):

• Led by Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters
• Adopted militant tactics and direct action
• Believed in "deeds not words"
• Engaged in disruptive activities such as shouting over MPs and holding demonstrations
• Initiated more extreme actions including stone-throwing, arson, and property damage
• Willing to face arrest and imprisonment for their cause

Quote: "We are here, not because we are law-breakers; we are here in our efforts to become law-makers." - Emmeline Pankhurst

Despite their different approaches, both groups united in supporting the war effort during World War I, temporarily suspending their campaigns for women's suffrage.

Highlight: The diversity of tactics employed by the suffragists and suffragettes ultimately contributed to the eventual success of the women's suffrage movement in the UK.

The contrast between the peaceful methods of the suffragists and the militant actions of the suffragettes created a complex and multifaceted movement that challenged the status quo from various angles. This diversity of approach played a crucial role in keeping the issue of women's suffrage at the forefront of public and political discourse, ultimately contributing to the eventual success of the movement.

Tactics and Strategies of the Suffrage Movement

The women's suffrage movement in the United Kingdom employed a wide range of tactics and strategies to advance their cause. The National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies (NUWSS) and the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) represent two distinct approaches to achieving the same goal: securing voting rights for women.

The NUWSS (Suffragists):

The suffragists, led by Millicent Fawcett, focused on peaceful and constitutional methods to achieve their aims. Their tactics included:

1. Lobbying MPs: They used their political contacts to influence Members of Parliament and gain support for their cause.
2. Supporting sympathetic politicians: The NUWSS pledged to support MPs who believed in universal suffrage.
3. Public speaking: Members were trained to speak publicly and persuade people through non-violent means.
4. Creating educational materials: They produced pamphlets and petitions to inform the public and persuade the government.
5. Organizing peaceful demonstrations: The Great Pilgrimage from Carlisle to London in 1913 was a prime example of their peaceful approach.

Example: The NUWSS's Great Pilgrimage in 1913 saw thousands of supporters march from Carlisle to London, demonstrating the widespread support for women's suffrage through peaceful means.

The WSPU (Suffragettes):

In contrast, the suffragettes, led by Emmeline Pankhurst, adopted more militant and direct tactics. Their approach included:

1. Disruptive demonstrations: They would shout over MPs during speeches and hold protests outside parliament.
2. Property damage: The WSPU initiated a stone-throwing campaign in 1912, resulting in hundreds of broken windows.
3. Arson attacks: Some suffragettes engaged in burning buildings to draw attention to their cause.
4. Accepting arrest: Over 200 suffragettes were arrested for their actions, using court appearances as opportunities for publicity.
5. Hunger strikes: When imprisoned, many suffragettes refused food, leading to forced feeding and public outcry.

Highlight: The suffragettes' militant tactics, while controversial, succeeded in keeping the issue of women's suffrage at the forefront of public and political discourse.

Quote: "We are here, not because we are law-breakers; we are here in our efforts to become law-makers." - Emmeline Pankhurst, emphasizing the suffragettes' willingness to break laws to change them.

Both approaches played crucial roles in the women's suffrage movement. The suffragists' peaceful methods helped build broad support and political alliances, while the suffragettes' militant tactics ensured that the issue could not be ignored. Together, these diverse strategies contributed to the eventual success of the movement and the extension of voting rights to women.