Who Were the Suffragettes?
Who Were the Suffragettes?
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Who Were the Suffragettes?
Open with the idea that voting rights seem normal today, but in the early 1900s many women in Britain could not vote in national elections.
Today’s learning goal
I can explain who the Suffragettes were and why they mattered in the fight for women’s votes.
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What words come to mind when you hear ‘Suffragettes’ ?
Use this to surface prior ideas such as votes, women, protest, equality, prison or rights. Briefly note misconceptions to revisit later, especially confusion between suffragists and suffragettes.
Britain before women could vote
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, most women in Britain could not vote in parliamentary elections.
Men made most political decisions.
Many people believed politics was only for men.
This unfair situation led to campaigns for change.
Keep the focus on parliamentary voting rights. You may mention that some women could vote in certain local elections, but not in the national system that chose the government.
What does suffrage mean?
Suffrage means the right to vote.
People who wanted votes for women were called suffragists or suffragettes.
Their main aim was political equality.
This is a key vocabulary slide. Make clear that 'suffrage' is about voting rights, not all rights in general.
Suffragists and Suffragettes
Both groups wanted votes for women, but they used different methods.
Suffragists used peaceful campaigning, meetings and petitions.
Suffragettes were more militant and used stronger actions to gain attention.
The word Suffragettes is most linked to the Women’s Social and Political Union.
Students often mix up these groups. Stress the shared aim and the different methods.
The Women’s Social and Political Union
Founded in 1903 in Manchester.
Led by Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters.
Its famous idea was 'Deeds, not words'.
It wanted faster action from the government.
Mention that frustration had grown because peaceful campaigning had not yet won parliamentary voting rights for women.
Why did the Suffragettes use militant methods?
Many campaigners felt ignored by politicians.
Peaceful arguments had gone on for years without enough change.
Militancy was used to force the issue into the newspapers and public debate.
The Suffragettes believed dramatic action would make the government listen.
Explain that 'militant' here means confrontational and law-breaking methods such as damage to property, not random violence against people.
What does ‘suffrage’ mean?
the right to vote
the right to work
a protest march
a political party
Checks the key vocabulary from slides 2–3. The distractors are rights or political terms students may confuse with suffrage.
Complete the summary
Before women could vote, many people believed politics was only for men. Suffrage means the right to vote. Suffragists used peaceful methods, but Suffragettes used more militant actions to gain attention.
This summary pulls together the first teaching block: the unfair situation, the meaning of suffrage, and the difference between suffragists and Suffragettes.
How did they campaign?
Marches and public speeches
Banners, badges and newspapers
Protests outside Parliament
Window-smashing and damage to property
Refusing to stay silent when arrested
Present a range of methods so students see that the movement was not only about militancy.
Government response
Protest → arrest → prison
Many Suffragettes were arrested.
In prison, some went on hunger strike.
The government answered with force-feeding, which was painful and shocking.
Harsh treatment made many people notice the campaign even more.
Handle force-feeding carefully and factually. It is important because it shows how strongly the state reacted to the movement.
Why did the Suffragettes use militant methods?
To stop all elections
To gain attention
To support the King
To leave Britain
Based on slides 5–8. The core idea is that they felt ignored and wanted the government and newspapers to notice the issue.
Fill in the campaign story
The WSPU was founded in 1903 and was led by Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters. Suffragettes used marches, speeches and protests, but some also damaged property. When arrested, some went on hunger strike in prison.
Tests key details from the campaigning block without adding new information. 'Property' is important because the lesson distinguishes this from violence against people.
Emily Davison
Emily Davison was a well-known Suffragette.
In 1913, she stepped onto the racecourse at the Derby.
She was struck by the King’s horse and later died.
Her death became a powerful symbol of the campaign.
Avoid claiming with certainty exactly what she intended at the Derby, as historians still discuss this. The key point is the event's impact and symbolism.
The First World War and change
In 1914, the First World War began.
Many Suffragettes paused militant campaigning.
During the war, many women took on important jobs.
This helped change some attitudes about women’s role in society.
Do not over-simplify this into 'the war alone caused the vote'. The war changed attitudes, but it came after many years of campaigning.
When did women win the vote?
In 1918, some women gained the right to vote in parliamentary elections.
This law did not include all adult women.
In 1928, women gained voting rights on the same terms as men.
Change came in steps, not all at once.
If useful, clarify that in 1918 only some women met the age and property rules. Full equal voting rights came in 1928.
Why do the Suffragettes matter?
They kept votes for women in the public eye.
They challenged unfair ideas about women and politics.
Their actions became part of a bigger movement for equality.
They helped change British democracy.
You can note that historians debate how much militancy helped or harmed the cause, but the movement clearly became unforgettable.
What happened in 1918?
The WSPU began
All women could vote
Some women won the vote
The war started
Checks the careful timeline from slides 9–12. Students often overgeneralise 1918 as full equality, but full equal voting rights came in 1928.
Complete the timeline
In 1913, Emily Davison was struck by the King’s horse at the Derby. In 1914, the First World War began and many Suffragettes paused militant campaigning. In 1928, women gained voting rights on the same terms as men.
Reinforces the sequence of major events and the idea that change happened over time.
Why do the Suffragettes still matter today?
Expected ideas: they kept the issue in the public eye, challenged unfair ideas, pushed for political change, and became part of a wider movement for equality. Accept any clear explanation linked to the lesson.
What is one thing you learned today?
Reflection only. Invite short personal responses about the main learning point, such as who the Suffragettes were, how they campaigned, or when women won the vote.
Which part of this lesson felt hardest?
Reflection only. Students may mention the dates, the difference between suffragists and Suffragettes, or the government response such as hunger strikes and force-feeding.
Glossary
suffrage - the right to vote
suffragist - a campaigner who worked peacefully for votes for women
Suffragette - a member of a more militant campaign for votes for women
militant - using forceful or law-breaking methods to press for change
WSPU - the Women’s Social and Political Union, founded in 1903
hunger strike - refusing food as a form of protest
force-feeding - making a prisoner eat against their will
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