# Study Notes: Why Women First Got the Vote in Britain in 1918 In 1918, the Representation of the People Act granted women over 30 the right to vote in Britain. This milestone was influenced by several factors, including women’s war work, the efforts of the suffragists, and the actions of the suffragettes. Below, we break down these key factors, evaluate their importance, and explore how they contributed to this historic achievement. --- ## Women’s War Work: The Most Important Factor ### Context During World War I (1914–1918), millions of men left their jobs to fight in the war, creating a labor shortage. Women stepped in to fill these roles, taking on jobs traditionally held by men and proving their capability in the workforce. ### Key Contributions - **Types of Jobs**: Women worked as tram conductors, postmen, milkmen, and in munitions factories. - **Munitions Work**: Women performed dangerous tasks like cutting copper bands on shell cases, oiling machinery, and making hand grenades. - **Health Risks**: Many women suffered from jaundice due to exposure to toxic chemicals, which turned their skin yellow. Some even lost their lives. - **Scale of Participation**: By July 1916, over 750,000 women were engaged in war work, according to the National Archives. - **Impact**: Women gained new opportunities, independence, and slightly higher wages, though they still earned less than men. ### Why It Was Crucial - Women’s war work demonstrated that they could handle responsibilities traditionally reserved for men, challenging stereotypes about their capabilities. - It earned them respect and gratitude, leading to the vote as a "thank you" for their contributions. - However, the vote was initially limited to women over 30, excluding many younger women who had worked during the war. Full suffrage for women came later in 1928. For instance, women in Glasgow took on roles as tram conductors and postmen, proving they could manage essential public services during wartime. Remember: Women’s war work was pivotal because it directly addressed the argument that women were incapable of handling important responsibilities like voting. --- ## The Suffragists: Peaceful Campaigners ### Who Were the Suffragists? - The **National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies (NUWSS)**, known as the suffragists, was formed after the 1867 vote. - They believed in peaceful, lawful methods to campaign for women’s suffrage. ### Methods and Achievements - **Tactics**: Petitions, letter-writing campaigns, speeches, posters, and peaceful rallies. - **Collaboration**: Worked with supportive politicians and men to advance their cause. - **Key Event**: In 1916, they successfully lobbied the House of Commons Speaker’s Conference to debate women’s suffrage. ### Limitations - Their peaceful methods were often ignored by politicians and the public, leading to frustration among activists. - Membership grew over time, but their impact was overshadowed by the more dramatic actions of the suffragettes and the undeniable contributions of women during the war. The suffragists aimed to prove women were responsible and capable of voting, but their methods were too easy to dismiss. Don’t confuse the suffragists with the suffragettes. The suffragists were peaceful, while the suffragettes used militant tactics. --- ## The Suffragettes: Militant Activists ### Who Were the Suffragettes? - The **Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU)**, known as the suffragettes, was formed in 1903 by women frustrated with the suffragists’ lack of progress. - Their slogan was **“Deeds, not words”**, reflecting their belief in direct action. ### Methods and Actions - **Protests**: Organized marches, such as the 1909 march on Princes Street in Edinburgh. - **Militant Tactics**: - Set fire to post boxes and smashed windows on shopping streets. - Burned down politicians’ houses and golf courses. - Targeted Prime Minister Herbert Asquith, pelting his car with fruit and attempting to assault him. - **Publicity**: Published a successful newspaper that sold 20,000 copies weekly. ### Public Perception - Many viewed the suffragettes as violent and irresponsible, which hurt their cause. - Even Queen Victoria criticized them, calling their actions “mad and wicked folly.” ### Evaluation - While the suffragettes raised awareness about women’s suffrage, their militant tactics alienated politicians and the public. - Their actions contrasted sharply with the responsible image women projected during their war work. It’s easy to assume the suffragettes’ dramatic actions directly led to women getting the vote, but their methods often backfired by reinforcing negative stereotypes about women. For example, suffragettes once chained themselves to railings and smashed windows, but these actions were seen as disruptive rather than persuasive. --- ## Comparative Evaluation of Factors ### Why Women’s War Work Was the Most Important - **Proved Capability**: Women’s contributions during the war directly demonstrated their ability to handle responsibilities, including voting. - **Earned Respect**: Their sacrifices and hard work earned them gratitude and recognition from society and politicians. - **Tangible Results**: The Representation of the People Act in 1918 was seen as a reward for their efforts. ### Why the Suffragists Were Less Important - Their peaceful methods were often ignored, and they failed to achieve significant progress before the war. - However, they laid the groundwork for the suffrage movement and kept the issue alive in political discussions. ### Why the Suffragettes Were the Least Important - Their militant tactics often alienated potential supporters and reinforced negative stereotypes about women. - While they raised awareness, their actions were less effective in persuading politicians to grant women the vote. Think of women’s war work as the decisive factor, with the suffragists and suffragettes playing supporting roles in keeping the issue of suffrage in the public eye. --- ## Key Takeaways 1. **Women’s War Work**: - Demonstrated women’s capabilities and earned them respect. - Directly influenced the decision to grant women the vote in 1918. 2. **The Suffragists**: - Used peaceful methods to campaign for suffrage but were often ignored. - Played a foundational role in the movement. 3. **The Suffragettes**: - Used militant tactics to draw attention to the cause but alienated many. - Their actions were less effective than women’s war work in achieving suffrage. - Why was women’s war work more influential than the suffragettes’ actions? - How did the suffragists’ methods differ from the suffragettes’? - What role did public perception play in the success of each group? In conclusion, while all three factors contributed to women gaining the vote, women’s war work was the most significant because it directly addressed societal doubts about women’s capabilities and earned them the respect of the nation.