Women's Suffrage in the UK - Lecture 03

First Feminist Crucible: Women's Suffrage in the. United Kingdom by Youcef BENNAA   The Problem that had no Name  The problem lay buried, unspoken, for many years in the minds of American women, It was a strange stirring, a sense of dissatisfaction, a yearning that women...

First Feminist Crucible: Women's Suffrage in the. United Kingdom by Youcef BENNAA   The Problem that had no Name  The problem lay buried, unspoken, for many years in the minds of American women, It was a strange stirring, a sense of dissatisfaction, a yearning that women suffered in the middle of the 20th century in ….Britain... Each suburban wife struggled with it alone. As she made the beds, shopped for groceries, ate peanut butter sandwiches with her children, - she was afraid to ask even of herself the silent question - "Is this all?“ Betty Friedan Early Developments and Legal Restrictions The Great Reform Act of 1832 explicitly banned women from voting by specifying "male persons". The Municipal Corporations Act of 1835 further restricted women's rights by removing their ability to vote in local government elections. However, some progress was made with the Municipal Franchise Act of 1869, which gave unmarried women ratepayers the right to vote in local elections. This right was later confirmed and extended to some married women by the Local Government Act of 1894. Pre-1832 1 Limited women's voting through property ownership 2 1832 Great Reform Act bans women from voting 1835 3 Municipal Corporations Act removes local voting rights 4 1869 Municipal Franchise Act grants local voting to unmarried women ratepayers 1894 5 Local Government Act extends local voting rights to some married women Formation of Suffrage Societies The campaign for women's suffrage gained momentum in the 1860s and 1870s with the formation of various societies. In 1867, Lydia Becker founded the Manchester Society for Women's Suffrage, which became a key organization in the movement. The National Society for Women's Suffrage (NSWS) was established in 1868, representing the first attempt to create a unified front for women's suffrage. However, the movement faced internal divisions, weakening its effectiveness initially. Manchester Society for National Society for Women's Suffrage Women's Suffrage Founded by Lydia Becker in 1 867 Established in 1868 as first unified suffrage organization Key Figures in the Movement E mmeline Pankhurst founded the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) in 1 903, adopting militant tactics to fight for women's rights. Millicent F awcett led the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies (NUWSS), advocating for peaceful and constitutional methods. Other notable figures included Sylvia Pankhurst, Christabel Pankhurst, and E mily Davison, who tragically died after stepping in front of the King's horse at the Epsom Derby in 1 91 3. These women played crucial roles in shaping the movement and bringing the issue of women's suffrage to national attention. Emmeline Pankhurst Millicent Fawcett Founder of WSPU, militant tactics Leader of NUWSS, peaceful methods Peaceful vs. Militant Tactics The suffrage movement in the UK was characterized by a divide between peaceful and militant tactics. The NUWSS, led by Millicent Fawcett, focused on constitutional methods such as petitions, lobbying MPs, and peaceful demonstrations. In contrast, the WSPU, under Emmeline Pankhurst's leadership, adopted more aggressive tactics including civil disobedience, property destruction, and arson. The WSPU's actions, while controversial, brought significant attention to the cause. However, some historians argue that the militant approach may have hindered progress by alienating potential supporters and hardening opposition to women's suffrage. Peaceful Tactics (NUWSS) Suffragists Militant Tactics (WSPU) Suffragettes - Petitions - Lobbying MPs - Peaceful demonstrations - - Civil disobedience - Property destruction - Arson attacks Educational campaigns - Hunger strikes in prison Impact of World War I The outbreak of World War I in 1914 significantly impacted the suffrage movement. Many suffrage organizations, including the WSPU, suspended their campaigns to support the war effort. Women took on traditionally male roles in various industries, particularly in munitions factories, demonstrating their capabilities and contributions to society. This shift in women's roles during the war helped change public perception and political attitudes towards women's suffrage. The war also led to a realignment of political priorities, creating an opportunity for suffrage legislation to gain traction in Parliament. Suspension of Women in Changing Political Campaigns Workforce Perceptions Opportunity Suffrage organizations halt Women take on Public attitudes shift in War creates opening for militant activities traditionally male roles favor of women's rights suffrage legislation Representation of the People Act 1918 The R epresentation of the People Act 191 8 marked a significant milestone in the women's suffrage movement. This act granted the vote to women over the age of 30 who met minimum property qualifications or were married to men who did. It also enfranchised all men over the age of 21. The act added about 8.4 million women to the electorate, representing about 40% of women in the UK. While this was a major step forward, it fell short of full equality, as men still had broader voting rights. The act was seen as a compromise, with the age limit designed to prevent women from becoming the majority of the electorate. Group Voting R ights Women over 30 With property qualifications Men over 21 Universal suffrage Women added to electorate 8.4 million Percentage of women enfranchised Approximately 40% Equal Franchise Act 1928 The R epresentation of the People (Equal F ranchise) Act 1928, also known as the Equal F ranchise Act, finally granted women electoral equality with men. This act extended the franchise to all women over the age of 21, regardless of property ownership. It added another five million women to the electorate, bringing the total number of women voters to about 15 million. The act was passed by the Conservative government under Stanley Baldwin, fulfilling a long-standing promise to equalize voting rights. This legislation marked the culmination of decades of struggle by the women's suffrage movement, achieving full voting equality for women in the United Kingdom. 1 Key Points of the Act 2 Impact on Electorate Extended franchise to all women over 21 , regardless of Added approximately 5 million more women voters property ownership 3 Total Women Voters 4 Historical Significance Increased to about 15 million Marked the achievement of full voting equality for women in the UK Ongoing Impact and Modern Relevance The achievement of women's suffrage in the UK had far-reaching effects beyond voting rights. It opened doors for women's participation in politics, with the first woman MP, Constance Markievicz, elected in 1918. The movement's legacy continued to influence gender equality efforts throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. Issues such as equal pay, reproductive rights, and representation in leadership positions can trace their roots to the suffrage movement. The story of the suffragettes continues to inspire modern activism and serves as a reminder of the power of organized protest and persistence in the face of opposition. The struggle for women's suffrage remains a crucial chapter in the ongoing fight for gender equality worldwide. 1918 1 First woman MP elected 2 1970 Equal Pay Act passed 1975 3 Sex Discrimination Act enacted 4 2016 Second female Prime Minister takes office Ongoing 5 Continued efforts for gender equality in various fields  Preference vs. Discrimination: Feminist Perspectives Exploring competing theories on women's career choices.  What Do Feminists want? feminism is the belief in full social, economic, and political equality for women.  Preference Theory by Catherine Hakim Personal Choice Heterogeneity Agency Women's career decisions based on Recognizes diverse lifestyle preferences Emphasizes women's autonomy in individual preferences. among women. decision-making.  Three Distinct Groups: Hakim categorizes women into three main groups based on their preferences: 1.Work-Centered Women (20%): These women prioritize their careers and often choose to remain childless or have fewer children. 2.Home-Centered Women (20%): This group emphasizes family life, often having multiple children and engaging minimally in paid work. 3.Ambivalent Women (60%): The majority of women fall into this category, seeking to balance both work and family life without giving absolute priority to either.  Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan 1 Societal Expectations Women confined to domestic roles. 2 Identity Crisis "Problem with no name" affecting housewives. 3 Call for Change Challenging traditional gender roles in society. Discrimination vs. Preference: Key Debates Structural Barriers Systemic discrimination limiting women's career advancement. Individual Agency Personal choices shaping women's career trajectories. Intersectionality Considering race, class in women's career experiences.