In the nineteenth century women had no place in politics 'they were not directly represented in the legislature because they were not allowed to become MP's or to vote' (Griffin, 2012, p.5). It was widely accepted that fathers and husbands would take responsibility for political matters, they believed they should 'leave the little woman at home while they made all the important business and political decisions' (Hazard, 2010)..
Coventry Patmore's famous poem can be accessed via the following link:
http://www.poemhunter.com/i/ebooks/pdf/coventry_patmore_2012_3.pdf
http://www.housmans.com/booklists/Wollstonecraft.php |
Women's oppression in society can be dated as far back as Mary Wollstonecraft's famous writing of A Vindication of the Rights of Women in 1792. Over the years that followed women in several different social classes began to tire of their homely image and society's attitudes towards them and they wanted 'opportunity for self-development' (Crawford, 2003, p.713).
As a result of the industrial revolution many working class women were in full time employment 'in certain places, women were the majority of industrial workers' (Goloboy, 2008, p.21).This meant they had opportunities to meet in large organised groups to discuss political and social issues. Middle class women spent their days talking to other middle class women who were somewhat informed of politics largely due to their husbands professions, this is where the movement began.
Small groups of women joined to create societies that would come together to campaign for universal suffrage. The movement began peacefully with the formation of Nation Union of Womens Suffrage Society (NUWSS) they gained support from fellow women, men and political party members. Their slow progression led to frustration and a new, more radical and militant wing was born with the formation of Womens Social and Political Union (WSPU) in 1903 (Holton, 2003, p.31).
http://historiana.eu/sources/show/for-the-work-of-a-day |
These two wings, the suffragists (NUWSS) and the suffragettes (WSPU) made up the suffrage movement (Holton, 2003, p.31).
From these societies that were formed there are key individuals that went on to create, and take part in some of the most notable events in womens history.
After proving their worth during the absence of men during World War One Women over the age of thirty were granted the vote under The Representation of People Act 1918. (Trueman, 2000) universal suffrage was granted in 1928.
From the initial formation of these societies in the 1850's to the granting of universal suffrage in 1928 there is a vast timeline of events, a biography of key individuals and a history of events that shape our world today, all of this is what is included and known as The Suffrage Movement.
http://www.nailslikelace.com/2012/03/sister-suffragette.html |