Women and the
Suffrage Question
Introduction
• In 1860 women in Britain did not have
the right to vote.
• Some women however, decided they did
want the right to vote and started the
campaign for women’s suffrage.
• After fighting for 68 years all women
over the age of 21 were awarded the
vote, just the same as men.
• But why were they fighting?
Colour code these arguments FOR and AGAINST giving women the vote.
The vast mass of
women are too
ignorant of politics to
be able to use their
vote properly.
Laws affect women
too, so they should
have a say in making
these.
Women are equal
before God.
Women can't be
trusted with running
Britain.
Women are too
emotional to deal with
serious political
issues.
Women already have
the vote in local
elections.
A woman's place is in
the home; going out
into the rough world
of politics will change
her caring nature.
Women are
chatterboxes and
can't be trusted with
state secrets.
Other countries have
given women the vote.
Women do not fight in
wars.
Many women do not
want the vote, and
would not use it if
they got it.
If women are given
the vote, it will not be
the gentle intelligent
women who will stand
for Parliament, but
the aggressive women.
Parliament will be
ruined.
Women are as smart
as men and this is
being proved by their
better education.
It is not natural for
women to be involved
in politics.
Women pay taxes.
Women are not as
clever as men.
Some women (eg
doctors and mayors)
are far better than
some men (eg convicts
and lunatics) who have
the vote.
The fight for the vote!
• The fight for women’s suffrage was
taken up by two groups:
SUFFRAGETTES
Group called
NUWSS.
(Violent)
SUFFRAGISTS
Group called
WSPU.
(Peaceful)
Today you are going to focus on an act carried
out by a member of the Suffragettes, her
name was Emily Davison.
Emily Davison
• Every year the horse race known as the
Derby takes place. Thousands of people,
including the Royal Family – go to Epsom
Downs to watch the best horses and riders in
the land battle it out for the trophy.
• As the Derby gets plenty of newspaper
coverage, in 1913 one Suffragette decided it
was the ideal opportunity for a publicity stunt
to gain women the vote… so what did she do?
Emily Davison
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVPTXm
esMpo&safe=active
• As a result of this Emily Davison died.
• BUT, was her death an accident or did she
plan to become a Suffragette martyr?
• This is for you to decide!
Your task
• Using the evidence provided complete the table
to decide if Emily Davison’s death was an accident
or was to become a martyr.
• SUMMER TASK:
– Write up your findings on Emily Davison to decide if
she was a martyr or not.
– You can either do this as a PowerPoint presentation or
as a mini essay.
– You MUST provide an introduction, arguments for,
arguments against and your own conclusion.
ACCIDENT
MARTYR