power and the people - 20th century Flashcards
(56 cards)
What was the NUWSS?
National union of women’s suffrage societies
When was the NUWSS created?
1897
Who created the NUWSS?
Millicent Fawcett
What methods did the NUWSS use?
Peaceful e.g. meetings, speeches, letters, posters
Wanted to be seem as kind and gentle to convince men to give them the vote
What was the WSPU?
Women’s social and political union
Who was emmeline Pankhurst?
She was a member of the Manchester NUWSS and decided it was time for more direct action
What tactics did the WSPU use?
Heckling MPs during speeches
Chaining themselves to railings
Stone throwing campaign
Arson attacks and blowing up buildings
When and what was the stone throwing campaign?
1912
The WSPU threw stones at buildings
Over 200 arrested
What did the WSPU believe in?
Deeds not words
Who was the first suffragette martyr, what did she do and when was it?
1913
Ran in front of the kings horse at the Epsom derby and was killed
Emily Davison
What happened to the suffragettes when they were in prison?
They went on hunger strike
But they were from influential families so the government couldn’t let them die
So they were forced fed
What was the cat and mouse act and when was it?
1912
The women were released when they became too weak due to starvation
Once they were well enough they were then arrested again
What were peoples thoughts on the militancy?
They held back women’s suffrage as it made them look irrational and unbalanced
A women’s place was in the home
Politics was a mans world and women were unsuited to it
How did the First World War help women get the vote?
They ran family businesses and worked in stressful environments - proving they could make clear headed decisions
They showed they could do the same jobs as men by working on farms, factories and on the front line as nurses
They proved they could do war work and still look after their children and homes
When was and what was the representation of the people act?
1918
Gave the vote to all men over 21
And to women over 30 with property
When were women given the vote on equal terms as men?
1928
What were the long term impacts of women’s suffrage?
1960s - women’s movement, they wanted to have the same rights and freedom as men
1969 - divorce reform act, could easily divorce and claim property
1970 - equal pay act
1975 - sex discrimination act
Led to other social change, such as homosexuality was no longer illegal
Why did the First World War cause the general strike?
Coal mines had been nationalised but were returned to private owners afterwards
They was a fall in demand for coal, meaning the mines were either industrialised or shut down
How did technology cause the general strike?
British coal mines were struggling because countries like Germany and the USA has modern equipment with lower costs
What happened in 1921 with the coal mines?
Mine owners announced a drop in wages and longer hours
The miners strikes, but without the support of unions they had to go back
What happened in 1925?
Prices of coal fell again
Fearing a general strike the government subsidised the coal industry
When was the general strike?
1926
What were the government actions to the general strikes?
The army and university students took over essential roles
They uses their won paper ‘The British Gazette’ to turn the public against the strike
The army prevented violent clashes
What were the trade unions congress (TUC) actions?
Strikers travelled to picket and at times clashed violently with the police
Used their paper ‘the British worker’ to explain reasons for the strike
Set up funds to feed the families of the strike
