| The struggle for EQUALITY has been long and hard in the 20th Century. People began to campaign about changing society and creating a much more equal system in terms of RACE, RELIGION, DISABILITY AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN. IN 1900 1 OUT OF EVERY 2 PEOPLE FACED DISCRIMINATION EVERY DAY – WOMEN. THEY WOULD CAMPAIGN HARD TO GET CHANGE, STARTING WITH THE RIGHT TO VOTE! |
| PEACEFUL PROTEST (Legal means) These group of women were led by MILLICENT FAWCETT. She set up the NUWSS (National Union of Women’s suffrage Societies) in 1897 They tried to get change PEACEFULLY through a number of things: They held protest marchesThey wrote letters to M.P’s (Members of Parliament)They wrote articles in the newspapersThey signed petitions However, by the early 1900’s, even with a Liberal Party government they thought would deliver, they did not seem to be making much progresshttp://www.phillipmartin.info | MILITANT ACTION (Sometimes used violence)This group of women were led by EMELINE PANKHURST & her daughters SYLVIA & CRISTABEL. They set up the WSPU (Women’s Social & Political Union) They were determined to raise the issue of votes for women in other more militant (extreme or VIOLENT) ways:They chained themselves to the gates of major buildings like Buckingham Palace or Downing street. This would raise publicity.They smashed windows in some men’s clothes shops They threw things at MP’s who were against themThey even went on HUNGER STRIKE! The Prime Minister was so scared of creating a martyr (someone that would die for their cause) that he ordered the huger strikers to be FORCE FED through tubes into their noseThey introduced a law called the CAT AND MOUSE ACT – They would let Suffragettes out when on Hunger strike – When they had eaten they re arrested them! |
| This shows window smashing, marches, handcuffed Suffragettes, and a women being force fed |  Getting arrested for activities http://www.youtube.com/embed/qTPquhaRxUw?wmode=opaque |
| Women were classed as lower rank in society by some people.Some people thought women would not be able to cope with making decisions in parliament, they were patronisingly considered too emotional.Women, it was thought, should stay at home to cook, clean and have children. It was their ‘duty’Some people used religious reasons to show a ‘women’s role’ |  |
MARTYR OR ACCIDENT?
It is unclear if the suffragettes actions would have achieved what they wanted. Despite their obvious devotion and passion for their cause, they sometimes would turn potential supporters away by their militant actions. One event however would let women demonstrate just how equal AND necessary they were to society. This event was WORLD WAR 1. (1914-1918)
| World War 1 broke out in 1914 and lasted 4 years The world had never seen a war as destructive. It killed millions and changed the world forever. |
| As the war ended in 1918 the government decided to grant women the vote (as long as they owned a house!) This was highly unlikely as it was difficult for women to get highly paid jobs!. 10 years. Later, in 1928, they would be granted exactly the same voting rights as men. |  |
| http://www.youtube.com/embed/056FI2Pq9RY?wmode=opaque | http://www.youtube.com/embed/gR8qFivWcc8?wmode=opaque |
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