Year 9 - History
The position of women in the early twentieth century
Women's suffrage: why did it take so long for women to get the vote in Britain?
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupils analyse why it took so long for women to win the vote in Britain. They learn about the position of women in the early twentieth century, the campaigns for suffrage and the government's responses to these campaigns and women's contributions during the Great War.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain why women were unable to vote at the beginning of the 20th century, despite their contributions to political movements.
Key Notes
- The franchise had been expanded in the nineteenth century but did not include women.
- Women had secured some legal rights, such as the 1882 Married Women's Property Act.
- Women had contributed to political movements throughout the nineteenth century, including abolition.
Vocabulary To Learn
- political: relating to government
- franchise: the ability to vote
- legal rights: entitlements that are enshrined in the law relating to government
- suffrage: the right to vote
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Victorian women played no political role in Britain in the 19th century.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.
The franchise had been expanded in the nineteenth century but did not include women. Women had secured some legal rights, such as the 1882 Married Women's Property Act.
2. Define this history term and explain why it matters in this topic. 'political'
relating to government.
3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.
Mistake: Victorian women played no political role in Britain in the 19th century. Correction: Women were increasingly politically active in Britain, for example, through their involvement in the abolitionist movement and through their participation in trade unions, despite being unable to vote.
More Lessons In This Unit
Browse all guides in the Year 9 History guide library.