Women's suffrage in the United Kingdom

Votes_For_Women

Suffragette_handbill

Cat_and_Mouse_Act_Poster_-_1914

Annie_Kenney_and_Christabel_Pankhurst

Suffragette_arrest,_London,_1914

== Women's Suffrage in the United Kingdom ==

Women's suffrage in the United Kingdom was a pivotal movement in the history of the country, advocating for the right of women to vote and stand for electoral office. The movement spanned over several decades and involved numerous campaigns, organizations, and key figures.

Early Beginnings

The struggle for women's suffrage in the UK began in the early 19th century. The Reform Act 1832 explicitly excluded women from voting by defining voters as "male persons." This exclusion galvanized early suffragists, who began to organize and campaign for women's voting rights.

Key Organizations

Several organizations played crucial roles in the suffrage movement:

• The National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies (NUWSS), founded in 1897 by Millicent Fawcett, advocated for suffrage through peaceful and legal means.
• The Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU), founded in 1903 by Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters, adopted more militant tactics to draw attention to the cause.

Major Campaigns and Events

The suffrage movement saw numerous campaigns and significant events:

• The Cat and Mouse Act of 1913, which allowed the temporary release of hunger-striking suffragettes from prison.
• The Representation of the People Act 1918, which granted voting rights to women over the age of 30 who met minimum property qualifications.
• The Equal Franchise Act 1928, which extended the right to vote to all women over the age of 21, achieving equal voting rights with men.

Key Figures

Several individuals were instrumental in the suffrage movement:

• Emmeline Pankhurst, founder of the WSPU, known for her militant tactics.
• Millicent Fawcett, leader of the NUWSS, who advocated for peaceful protest.
• Emily Davison, a suffragette who became a martyr for the cause after her fatal injury at the Epsom Derby in 1913.

Impact and Legacy

The success of the women's suffrage movement in the UK had a profound impact on British society and politics. It paved the way for greater gender equality and inspired similar movements worldwide. The struggle and eventual victory of the suffragettes remain a significant chapter in the history of the United Kingdom.

Related Pages

• Suffragette
• Suffragist
• Representation of the People Act 1918
• Equal Franchise Act 1928
• Emmeline Pankhurst
• Millicent Fawcett
• Emily Davison
• National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies
• Women's Social and Political Union