WSPU Flashcards
(33 cards)
what is the NUWSS?
- National Union for Women’s Suffrage Society
- Formed in 1897
- Known as Suffragists
- Used Peaceful methods but were unsuccessful
What is the WSPU?
- Women’s Social and Political Union
- Formed in 1903
- Known as Suffragettes
- “Deeds, not Words”
Who led the WSPU?
the Pankhurst’s
- Initially had membership of small group of working class women
What happened in 1905?
Christabel Pankhurst adopted more militant tactics
- Meeting disruptions (speech by Sir Edward Grey)
- Demonstrations
- Heckling
They wanted to cause retributive acts to gain support for women
What happened in 1906?
Group of WSPU members broke into the House of Commons lobby
- 10 were arrested (9 of them being upper / middle class women)
- The arrests of respectable women caused outrage
Showed class divide and was valuable for public support
What happened in 1907?
WSPU held 1st Women’s Parliament at Caxton Hall
- Participants then led a march on Parliament
- 38 women were sent to Court and Most Arrested
Militancy helped win Publicity
What happened in 1908?
250,000 - 500,000 women met in Hyde Park demanding the vote
- Was responding to Asquith’s (PM) refusal to consider it
- Christabel started campaign of mass window breaking due to belief that violence will convince government
What happened in 1909?
WSPU organised a March on Parliament
- Treasury, Home Office and Privy Council Windows were smashed
- Jailed protesters began Hunger Strikes
- Led Government to introduce Forced Feedings
The Forced Feedings became a large part of WSPU Propaganda and led to the ‘Cat and Mouse’ Act
What was the ‘Cat and Mouse’ Act?
the Temporary Discharge for Ill Health Act
- Passed in 1913
- Meant women who were ill from Hunger Strikes would be sent home until they were healthy and then be Re-Arrested
- But was Hard to Enforce and Aroused Hostility
What happened in 1910?
Most Notorious Act of Militancy due to Government’s refusal to Debate legislation for Women’s Suffrage
- WSPU sent 300 women into the House of Commons
- Known as ‘Black Friday’
- Clashed with Police who were deliberately rough (Many women Physically and Sexually Assaulted)
What happened in 1911 & 1912?
Militancy became more Intense
- Arson
- Window Smashing
- Destruction of Art
What happened in 1913?
Campaign of Greater Intimidation
- Manchester Art Gallery hacked apart
- Damage to Streetlights, Golf Greens and Train Carriages
What were the Methods up to 1908?
- Disrupting Speeches
- Chaining Themselves to Railings
- Propaganda
- Women’s Parliament
How Effective was Disrupting Speeches up to 1908?
- Drew Attention to the WSPU
- Doesn’t lead to Response (They didn’t target any important figures)
- People may see it as Childish (Victorian Values of Respectability)
How Effective was Chaining to Railings up to 1908?
- Able to Foster Attention (Very out of Ordinary)
- No Major Response
- Seen as Childish (Victorian Values of Respectability)
How Effective was Propaganda up to 1908?
- Gained Popular Attention (Use of Badges, Sashes & Colours)
- Had a Push for Response (e.g. Hyde Park)
- Support is Gained & Visible (Use of Slogans)
How Effective was Women’s Parliament up to 1908?
- No gain of Public Attention (No public presence)
- Had a Response in Politics
How Effective was Women’s Parliament up to 1908?
- No gain of Public Attention (No public presence)
- Had a Response in Politics
What Changed the WSPU’s Methods in 1908?
- Asquith became PM
- Hyde Park Demonstration Ignored
How was the WSPU Organised?
Authoritarian and Top-Down (Emmeline “Wishes women to have votes [but] she will not allow them to have opinions”)
- Central Committee
- Sub-Committee
- ‘A Home’ Sessions
- 11 Regional Offices
What was the WSPU Membership like over the years?
- Growth was slow between 1903-05
- Membership boomed with the increase in Militarisation
- 1906 had 3 Branches, 1911 had 122
- Magazine ‘Votes for Women’ had over 40,000 copies in circulation
What was WSPU Leadership like?
Before 1905 the Main WSPU Speakers were: Emmeline Pankhurst, Christable Pankhurst, Adela Pankhurst, Sylvia Pankhurst and Teresa Billington-Greig
- Annie Kenney joined in 1905 (who provided a Working Class element to WSPU)
- Emmeline Pethick-Lawrence joined 1906 (who designed the Green, White & Purple Clothing)
How was the Central Committee Organised?
- Sylvia Pankhurst was Secretary
- Annie Kenney was Paid Organiser
- Emmeline Pethick-Lawrence was Treasurer
- Overall Leadership was Emmeline Pankhurst and Christabel Pankhurst
What was the relationship between the Central Committee and the Branches like?
Central Committee operated in London
- Local branches did have considerable Autonomy
- 1910 there was 98 Office Working Women in London & 28 Responsible for Regional Districts
- 1911 there were 64 London and Home Country Branches & 58 Branches Other Branches
There was also some tensions between branches
- Liverpool branch refused to stop hosting open air meetings when instructed
