The government's response to the suffragettes
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain why the WSPU employed increasingly violent tactics and why they had little response or sympathy from government.
Key learning points
- WSPU protestors began undertaking publicity stunts, such as chaining themselves to railings outside parliament.
- From 1908 some women in prison began going on hunger strike, and they were force fed by the government.
- In 1913 the government passed a law that released female prisoners on hunger strike, dubbed the Cat and Mouse Act.
- Emily Davison threw herself in front of the King's horse in 1913 and died a few days later.
- The Liberal government refused to concede to the violent and disruptive tactics of the suffragettes.
Keywords
Publicity stunt - something that is done to attract the attention of the public
Hunger strike - a prolonged refusal to eat, carried out in protest by a prisoner
Liberal - a member of the political party which supported free trade
Suffragette - a woman seeking the right to vote through organised, and sometimes violent, protest
Common misconception
Britain was the first country to give women the right to vote.
New Zealand was the first country in which women gained the right to vote, in 1893. Australia was the next, nine years later.
Teacher tip
Suffragette posters offer lots of opportunity to develop source inference skills.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the statements to the correct women's suffrage group.
Q2.Which of the following are NOT examples of tactics the WSPU were known for using?
Q3.What was the slogan of the WSPU?
Q4.Which of the following issues were the WSPU divided on?
Q5.Who was an Indian princess, goddaughter to Queen Victoria and member of the WSPU?
Q6.How many members of the WSPU were imprisoned for acts of sabotage in Holloway Prison in London?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the keywords to the definitions.
Q2.Complete the sentence: WSPU protestors carried out publicity stunts, such as chaining themselves to outside important buildings like the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace.
Q3.What did the suffragettes call the law the government passed which released female prisoners on hunger strike?
Q4.Why did the suffragettes carry out publicity stunts?
Q5.Which of the following countries had granted female suffrage by 1914?
Q6.Complete the sentence: The government refused to concede to the violent and disruptive tactics of the suffragettes.
To help you plan your 9 history lesson on: The government's response to the suffragettes, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 history lesson on: The government's response to the suffragettes, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 history lessons from the Women's suffrage: why did it take so long for women to get the vote in Britain? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.