Why it took so long for women to get the vote in Britain

History

The position of women in the early twentieth century

Campaigns for women's suffrage

The suffragettes

The government's response to the suffragettes

The contribution of women during WW1

In this unit, pupils investigate why it took so long for women to gain the vote in Britain and the factors that influenced this delay. In the next unit, ‘Thematic study: how has the role of women in British society changed?’, pupils will explore the broader changes in women’s roles and status in British society over time.

In ‘Widening the franchise: who gained the right to vote?’, pupils explored how the voting rights expanded over time. This unit builds on this by examining why it took so long for women to achieve suffrage in Britain, focusing on the barriers and struggles faced by the suffragists and suffragettes.

In this unit, pupils analyse why it took so long for women to win the vote in Britain. They learn about the position of women in the early twentieth century, the campaigns for suffrage and the government's responses to these campaigns and women's contributions during the Great War.

Women's suffrage: why did it take so long for women to get the vote in Britain?

Discriminatory behaviour or images, whether on the grounds of race, gender, disability, religion or belief or sexual orientation, or otherwise.

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Historic or outdated representations of people that may portray inequality or injustice.

Depiction of war, threats of war, death or the aftermath of war.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Some men supported it, but the vast majority did not.

A great many men supported it, with only a minority opposing it.

Which statement best describes attitudes towards the suffrage movement in the mid to late nineteenth century?

Sexism was a __________ term factor that prevented women from obtaining the vote.

The __________ government opposed the campaign for female suffrage for much of the early twentieth century.

Asquith's decision to drop the 1910 Conciliation Bill was a {{ }} term cause of the delay to female suffrage.

Which of these best describes the state of the women's suffrage movement in the early twentieth century?

The dropping of the Cnciliation Bill in 1910

Which of these events was a turning point in attitudes towards female suffrage?

When war broke out in 1914, the suffragettes and suffragists suspended their {{ }} and joined the war effort.

In what year did the WSPU organise a protest march called ‘the Right to Serve’? 

Despite being employed in the armed forces during WW1, women could not...

The 1918 Representation of the People Act gave the vote to...

In what year was the Equal Franchise Act passed?

Why it took so long for women to get the vote in Britain

Lesson outcome

Content guidance