What Was The Suffragette Movement and Who Started It?

The Suffragettes, also known as the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU), were a group of women who fought for women's suffrage in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Their struggle for equal voting rights is an important part of the history of women's rights, and their legacy continues to benefit women today.

The suffragette movement began in the United Kingdom in the late 19th century, with the formation of the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies (NUWSS) in 1897. The NUWSS was founded by Millicent Fawcett, who advocated for peaceful tactics such as petitions, lobbying, and public speaking to achieve women's suffrage. However, many women felt that these methods were not effective, and they became frustrated with the slow progress of the movement.

In 1903, Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters, Christabel and Sylvia, founded the WSPU. The WSPU was a more militant organisation that believed in direct action, such as protests, civil disobedience, and even vandalism, to draw attention to their cause. The WSPU's motto was "Deeds not words," and they were willing to risk arrest and imprisonment to achieve their goal.

One of the most important events in the suffragette movement was the 1913 Epsom Derby. Emily Davison, a suffragette, ran onto the track during the race and tried to grab the reins of the King's horse. She was trampled by the horse and died a few days later from her injuries. While Davison's motives are still debated, her death drew international attention to the suffragette movement and highlighted the extreme measures some women were willing to take to secure the right to vote.

World War I had a significant impact on the suffragette movement. Many suffragettes put their activism on hold to support the war effort, and the government released imprisoned suffragettes as a gesture of goodwill. Additionally, women's contributions to the war effort, including working in factories and offices, helped change public attitudes towards women and their abilities. In 1918, the Representation of the People Act was passed, which gave women over 30 the right to vote.

The suffragette movement paved the way for other feminist movements and helped improve women's rights around the world. Today, women have the right to vote in almost every country, and many other barriers to women's full participation in society have been broken down. While there is still work to be done to achieve true gender equality, the suffragettes' legacy continues to inspire women to fight for their rights and demand equal treatment.