Study Guides

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 some women were frustrated at the lack of progress of the NUWSS and why the more radical WSPU was formed.

Key Notes

• Some suffragists were becoming disillusioned with the lack of progress made by the NUWSS.
• In 1903 the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) was formed by Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters.
• The WSPU employed more radical tactics, such as large demonstrations.
• The aims of the WSPU became more conservative, only aiming to vote on the same terms as men.
• The actions of the WSPU became more violent from 1906.

Vocabulary To Learn

• suffrage: the right to vote
• suffragist: a person advocating for the extension of the right to vote; especially to women
• suffragette: a woman seeking the right to vote through organised, and sometimes violent, protest
• radical: departing from tradition

Common Mistakes To Avoid

• Suffragists were the same as suffragettes.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

More Lessons In This Unit

• Campaigns for women's suffrage Study Guide
• The contribution of women during WW1 Study Guide
• The government's response to the suffragettes Study Guide
• The position of women in the early twentieth century Study Guide
• Why it took so long for women to get the vote in Britain Study Guide