“Women proved by their work during WWI that they deserved the vote.” How
accurate is this view that women only received the vote because of their war efforts?
Introduction: Notice the difference in debate and line of argument. By doing
something like this, it immediately gives the impression of a top band ‘A’ essay.
The line of argument is decisive and removes all ‘sitting on the fence’! This
provides your essay with a clear, structured argument.
In 1918, the Representation of the People Act gave women over 30 the vote, if they
owned property or were married to a property owner. The major reason for women
receiving the vote has been a fundamental source of debate amongst historians. Whilst
traditional schools of thought argue that women’s work during WWI radically
changed male ideas about their role in society with traditional historians such as Ray
suggesting that giving women the vote in 1918 was almost a ‘thank you’ for their
efforts, revisionist historians, however, find this analysis too simplistic. AJP Taylor,
for example, argues that the war ‘smoothed the way for democracy’ and so there are
other factors of significance, such as, suffrage campaign groups (WSPU & NUWSS)
and growing equality with men. Whilst this essay will recognise the importance of the
view that WWI was significant to women receiving the vote, it intends to argue that
AJP Taylor’s analysis is best supported by existing evidence and as such is the most
accurate view.
Paragraph 1: Isolated factor (WWI)
In this paragraph, you should be showing balance but ultimately arguing that even
though WWI played a role in women gaining the vote, it was NOT THE ONLY
REASON.
Introduce your point:
In 1914, when the First World War broke out, men were required to fight for King
and country. This left a large void in the workforce and allowed women to secure
employment in a range of industries; from making shells to secretarial jobs. By 1915,
2.5 million women were involved in war work and by 1918, 7 million had
volunteered.
 Women worked in different areas – mix of manual and office e.g. 200,000
women employed in govt. positions. Shows flexibility and willing.
Discuss traditional view (as stated in introduction):
 As stated, traditionalist historian John Ray claims that “Women proved by
their work that they deserved the vote equally with men. Thus their war
efforts succeeded where the Suffragette campaign failed.”
 Certainly, there is evidence to suggest that the hard work completed by
women during WWI improved the attitudes towards them. For example, it
removed the argument that women had not fought for their country and also
encouraged the public to acknowledge women for their hard work.
 Posters and newspaper cartoons, such as those by Septimus Scott carried
messages such as ‘These women are doing their bit.’
 Suffrage campaigning postponed – even Suffragettes agreed to stop their
militant actions. (Though some Suffragists were very pacifist and campaigned
for suffrage and freedom) In response to the amnesty with the govt, Emmeline
and Christabel Pankhurst changed the name of their newspaper from The
Suffragette to Britannia and declared it to be for ‘King, for country, for
Freedom’.
 As Professor McMillan (Strathclyde uni) claims, ‘playing the patriotic card
paid off’. Converts to women’s suffrage included former PM Asquith (enemy
of Suffragettes before 1914). Asquith’s speech in parliament, 1917 “… I think
that some years ago I ventured to use the expression, “Let the women work
out their own salvation." Well, Sir, they have worked it out during this War.
How could we have carried on the War without them? I…feel it is impossible
to withhold from women the power and the right of making their voice
directly heard.” – Perhaps showing that the govt had no excuse not to include
women when widening enfranchisement for men post-WWI.
 Situation of coalition government was helpful because: MPs who were prosuffrage were now part of the cabinet e.g. Balfour & Arthur Henderson. Then
in 1916, Asquith was replaced by pro-suffrage PM, Lloyd George. This meant
that the coalition removed strict divisions between the parties and encouraged
co-operation. MPs felt more confident that if they granted 8 million women
the vote, they would not all vote for one party through gratitude.
 Pugh argues that the coalition under Lloyd George was beneficial to the
suffrage movement, even though, of course the govt. was primarily a
ministerial one. Mrs Fawcett told Lloyd George “We know that you are our
friend, as no previous PM has ever been, and we feel that you have the power
to show your friendship as never before.”
HOWEVER: Time to discredit the above view! (This allows you to show your
line of argument – Use language such as: Even so, On closer inspection, The
evidence, however, favours the revisionist school of thought because…,
 Pugh argues that WWI as most important factor is too simplistic because
1) women removed from wartime employment & 2) In the 1920s the belief
that ‘a women’s place is in the home’ was as strong as ever.
 For example, during WWI, hospitals accepted female medical students but
in the 1920s they were rejected on the grounds of modesty!
 Majority of women who worked were in their 20s. Vote was given to
women (‘responsible & respectable’) over the age of 30. Young munitions
workers were therefore, NOT rewarded with the vote!
 Women in France did not get the vote in 1918 (in fact, the bill was rejected
again in 1922!) Remember, they had worked during WWI too. Crossan
argues that this was because the French had no pre-war suffrage campaign.
 Argument that WWI actually hindered enfranchisement of women. Think
of the Conciliation bills of 1910 and 1913 – so close – then
BOOM…WWI. So; can be argued that Liberals were just about to
introduce reforms as before war was declared, the cabinet was becoming
more pro-suffrage. Then war broke out and suffrage was no longer on the
agenda. Everything focussed on winning the war. Plus, remember that
suffrage campaigners were no longer putting pressure on the govt.
LINK TO QUESTION: Remember to sum up your argument at the end of each
paragraph by linking back to the question and to your next paragraph. Make it
clear that the war was NOT the single most important factor and that it simply paved
the way as argued by AJP Taylor. A suffrage campaign was also necessary – put
pressure on govt.
Additional Historiography
Paula Bartley’s view: It would be naïve to believe that women received the vote solely
for services rendered in the First World War. It must be remembered that only
women over 30 were given the vote and the very women who had helped in the war
effort – the young women of the munitions factories – were actually denied the
vote. The significance of women’s war work in the achievement of the vote is
therefore perhaps not as great as first assumed. In reality, women were greatly
resented in both agriculture and industry… Men ‘froze out’ women workers, gave
them no help and even sabotaged their work… The reasons for the shift which
to300ok place in Government thinking therefore need consideration.
Arthur Marwick’s view: But two further changes are also critical: the increased
sense of their own capacity and increased self-confidence on the part of women
themselves; and, on the other side, the total destruction of all the old arguments about
women's proper place in the community, which both men and women had previously
raised against any moves towards political and social equality for women.
Paragraph 2: Campaign Organisations - Suffragists
Introduce your point
Revisionist historians such as Sandra Holton argue that pre-war campaigns were vital
to women receiving the vote in 1918. Indeed, there is evidence to support this claim.
Formed in 1887 from the 17 individual women’s suffrage groups in Britain, the
NUWSS (Suffragists) adopted a peaceful and non-confrontational approach. Members
believed that success could be achieved by argument and education.
Discuss argument that women were granted the vote, not just because of WWI,
but more because of steady pressure from campaign groups such as the
Suffragists. Highlight that it was a slow process – one which also required the
pressure of the Suffragettes. Make suggestions that it began to change attitudes.
 Gained publicity for the cause and put pressure on govt. e.g. in 1910,
presented 250,000 signatures in favour of female suffrage. Showed govt the
extent of their support.
 Can mention the ways in which they tried to gain publicity. Robert Ensor
claims that the effect of the ‘propaganda’ of the Suffragists was “beyond
question”.
 Willing to work with Liberal MPs e.g. Campbell Bannerman met with the
NUWSS & said he was in favour of votes for women. Gave them a voice in
parliament.
 As early as 1912, they had achieved an ‘agreement in principle’ from a large
number of MPs, to support the campaign for women’s suffrage.
 Achieved active links with Trade Union organisations and an agreement of
mutual support with the newly emerging Labour party e.g. Keir Hardie was
one of the speakers at the Mud March, 1907. Also estimated that around 300
members of the Independent Labour Party (ILP) participated in the march. In
support of the 1910 Conciliation Bill, the Ipswich ILP held an open air
demonstration. = This genuinely put pressure on the Liberal party.
 Sandra Holton argues: “Women's war work may have been important in
converting some former opponents, or providing others with a face-saving
excuse to alter their positions. But even before this, the political alliances the
democratic suffragists had formed in support of their demand had ensured that
women would have to be included in any future reform bill.”
 Support from political parties was SO important to the Suffrage campaign.
Highlight this. Without this…how important would the Suffragist contribution
have been?
 Martin Pugh argues that because of their quiet persuasion, many prominent
politicians supported them e.g. Lloyd George BUT most MPs only gave them
‘lukewarm’ support. Not enough to secure vote.
 SO ---- due to above evidence the war is obviously NOT the only reason
women were given the vote.
EVEN SO; it is important to remember that it was not solely the work of the
Suffragists that resulted in the 1918 Act. Other campaign groups…e.g. Suffragettes.
There were drawbacks to the contribution of the Suffragists and so they alone are not
responsible for women gaining the vote.
 By 1905, they were being practically ignored by the media – Suffragettes were
overtaking them. Shows that ‘ists had perhaps missed their opportunity.
 Patient, legalistic approach was easy for govt. to ignore even though they have
‘agreed in principle’.
 Loss of political support – Asquith (anti-suffrage) replaced Campbell
Bannerman as PM. Lost them link with govt.
 They concentrated on a range of issues, not just female suffrage – can argue
that they lacked focus on this one issue.
 Did not win the vote before 1914, despite no less than FOUR attempts to
introduce women’s suffrage bills to parliament.
LINK: Remember to sum up your argument at the end of each paragraph by
linking back to the question and to your next paragraph. Make it clear, also, that
the Suffragists and Suffragettes were both part of the suffrage movement – hint
towards the merits of the ‘ettes and the failures of the ‘ists.
Paragraph 3 – Campaign Organisations: Suffragettes
In this paragraph you should highlight the positives of the Suffragettes (mainly
in terms of them being part of the suffrage movement but also discuss the
negatives. Remember that you are arguing that the war was not the only reason
for women getting the vote and that consistent campaigning from pressure
groups such as ‘ists and ‘ettes was crucial to the 1918 Act. Remember that
earlier you favoured AJP Taylor’s argument that WWI ‘paved the way’. So, be
consistent.
Introduce your point
The extent to which the Suffragettes contributed to women receiving the vote in 1918
is a major source of debate and indeed disagreement amongst historians, for many
such as, Richards and Hunt believe their militant actions actually hindered the
campaign for female suffrage. [Insert evidence here to support Richard & Hunt –
not a lot; save best till later.] However, there is evidence to suggest that the
campaign of the Suffragettes contributed to a large extent and thus refutes the claim
that women only received the vote because of their efforts during WWI. (This
acknowledges both the positives and negatives of the ‘ettes as well as addressing the
claim in the question.)
DISCUSS the importance of the Suffragettes in terms of their contribution to the
suffrage movement which placed considerable & consistent pressure on the govt.
Be clear that women receiving the vote was not as clear cut as some would have you
believe – whole responsibility can not simply be given to WWI. Too simplistic!
 Believed in militancy to gain the vote – brought much needed publicity to the
movement through propaganda such as leaflets, newspapers and
demonstrations. Series of 6 meetings in 1908; more than 25,000 women
attended. Remember: by 1905 ‘ists virtually ignored by media and parliament.
 1909: Imprisoned ‘ettes start hunger striking. When govt. introduced force
feeding, 150 councils sent petitions to govt. in protest of this action. Shows
gained sympathy.
 1912-14 Wild period begins – arson attacks, acid on golf courses & letter
boxes. Telephone wires cut. Lloyd George’s house burnt! Emily Wilding
Davison (King’s horse @ Derby), ‘Slasher Mary’ attacked painting in
National Gallery & 1,000 imprisoned by 1914. [Remember to use this
information for a purpose; don’t simply recite it all in a narrative fashion!]
 During Wild Period, issue of female suffrage was discussed daily in
parliament as well as appearing in the newspapers.
 At first, many newspapers openly supported the Suffragette’s actions. The
Daily News said: “No class has ever got the vote except at the risk of
something like revolution.”
 Some politicians claimed they gave women the vote in 1918 in order to avoid
a return to the wild period.
 Many earlier historians e.g. Constance Rover (1967) judged the Suffragette
campaign to have been successful and almost sees the movement as semiheroic until around 1912. But, after that date their militant actions were
harmful. She also argues that the govt. was genuinely afraid of resumed
militancy post WWI, so this contributed to the Representation of the People
Act.
 Mackenzie argues that “prior to 1914, it was the WSPU who revitalised the
question of votes for women”.
 Votes for Women newspaper sold 20,000 copies per week during 1909.
 Sue Crossan argues the importance of the Suffragettes is shown in that “there
had been no women’s suffrage movement before the war and there was thus
no pressure on the govt.” and so…British women received vote after WWI but
French women did not.
EVEN SO, it is important to take account of other arguments such as that of Richards
& Hunt. The Suffragettes DID have their faults – losing support due to their
militancy! Richards and Hunt claim that militancy proved to many at the time “not
their fitness bur their unfitness for political responsibility.” Therefore, suggesting that
the Suffragettes were not the main reason for women receiving the vote but latterly,
actually hindered the campaign.
 Can argue that they did achieve publicity and media interest but often it was
the kind which generated as much hostility as it did support.
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The Times (1910) called them ‘demented creatures’ – example of bad publicity
and instead the Suffragists seemed a more respectable organisation in
comparison.
Divisions in movement caused by extremists.
Reduction in membership numbers and evidence of women leaving the WSPU
for the NUWSS. Shows loss in support from pro-suffrage women.
Lost support from MPs. Letter written by Lloyd George (1909) “The action of
the militants is ruinous. The feeling amongst sympathisers of the cause in the
House [of Commons] is one of panic. I am frankly not very hopeful of success
if these tactics are persisted in.” Lloyd George also said of talking to
Christabel Pankhurst “[it was] like going to a lunatic asylum and talking to a
man who thinks he is God.”
The government could not be seen to giving in to terrorist actions – think of
Irish Republicans.
Many, such as Morrison criticise the targets of their militancy. E.g. Had they
hit docks, or railways (economic targets) then the government may have taken
them far more seriously.
Pugh acknowledges the importance of the women’s suffrage campaign but is
very clear with regards to the militant Suffragettes and agrees with the analysis
of Richards and Hunt: ‘the militants were making no progress at all except in
alienating public opinion’.
LINK: Remind the marker of your line of argument and how the Suffragette’s fit
into it! They were part of the wider women’s suffrage movement and so their
contribution is one of value. They attracted publicity, even if some of it was of a
negative nature. Reminded people of the cause when the ‘ists were being ignored.
Prove again that they were important and dismiss the argument that the war alone
gave women the vote. Link to next paragraph.
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Additional Historiography
C.P Hill: Violent tactics “did more harm than good”. It shocked the public
and split the Suffragette movement.
Sir Robert Ensor: Violence and attacks on property were “profound errors;
the exasperated parliament”, “doing less than nothing to help women’s
suffrage”.
H.L Peacock: “In general their tactics did little to further their cause”. They
annoyed and embarrassed the government whose support they had to win”.
Paragraph 4: Changing Attitudes/timing/progression in other countries
In this paragraph, it is important that you make the suggestion that the growth in
equality with men since the 1860s (politics and education) gradually led to the vote.
Highlight, however, the reality – change was happening so slowly that it is more than
plausible to argue that it would not have caused women to have had the vote by 1918.
In line with your argument, suggest that the bills that were passed would not have
made any real progress until the female suffrage organisations began campaigning.
Introduce your point
Evidence clearly shows that from the 1860s women were slowly gaining more rights
in terms of education and politics; however, these changes were clearly limited and
happening too slowly for it to have been the main reason for women receiving the
vote in 1918. [Insert brief evidence to support this claim and make it clear why it
wasn’t enough].
DISCUSS the growth in equality as well as giving comparisons with other countries.
Political:
 1869 – Municipal Franchise Act gave single women the right to vote in local
elections.
 1870-94 – women were allowed to be elected to school boars, poor law
guardianship, parish and district councils.
 1870 – Married Women’s Property Acts meant husbands no longer owned
their wife’s property/ Women were able to sue for desertion without going to
the workhouse.
Education & Work:
 1870 – Education Act (1872 Scotland) assured girls the same basic education
as boys.
 1876 – Medical schools opened their doors to women & in 1878 London
University opened all it’s degrees to women.
 1871 – Newnham College, Cambridge was founded.
 1860 – Nightingale School of Nursing helped make nursing a proper
profession.
 1888 – Match Girls Strike. Women won better working conditions.
 Better education gave women more employment opportunities in civil service,
post office and private business.
Pressure from other countries:
 By 1918, women in Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Denmark and Finland
had the vote. As Britain was seen as the ‘mother’ of democracies – make the
point that Britain had to catch up with these countries in order to avoid looking
bad.
VALID CONTRIBUTION?:
 Jobs: Women still denied better paid jobs and more interesting male jobs.
Even so, new white collar jobs allowed a minority of women to have a sense
of responsibility and they often wanted to improve their opportunities and
sought the vote in an attempt to achieve this.
 Education: As women became better educated they could no longer be viewed
as ‘too stupid’ to vote – they were now thought of as more deserving of the
vote. However, important to remember the clear divides in education e.g.
women attending uni but denied a degree! Also, gender orientated subjects at
school.
 Law: Allowed women to legally be the rightful owners of the money they
earned and allowed them control of their property. Law admitting that women
capable of responsibilities. Again, this pushed many women to demand more
equality with men.
 Politics: Still denied the vote in parliamentary elections! Many women felt
they had shown they could successfully participate in local elections and were
annoyed that they could not be trusted with the responsibility at national level.
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Women began to join political parties such as – the Conservative party’s
Primrose League (1883) and the Women’s Liberal Federation (1887). Later,
many women became involved in the Labour and Independent Labour parties.
For example, Isabella Ford and Mary Gawthorpe. However, the failure of the
labour party to actually organise men to help women led many women such as
Mary to become disillusioned with these parties and the links diminished.
Professor Yeo argues that disillusionment with parties led to the Suffragists
being formed.
As argued by historian Paula Bartley, changes in women’s lives to do with
jobs, education and voting in local elections made them seem better prepared
to vote in national elections. However, many men believed that women were
still not ready for the vote. This led to the formation of women’s suffrage
societies.
N.B. Between 1903 and 1914, no political party in parliament adopted women’s
suffrage as part of its official programme. But 1912, women’s suffrage became
official labour party policy – as long as the vote was extended to all men at the same
time.
Make a selection from above. Analyse them in terms of changing social status –
in what ways did the above alter the way they were viewed by people in general
(as well as by politicians). Link it back to the changes during WWI – not the
work done by women but rather the changes that took place PRIOR AND
DURING THE WAR were more profound. This will be a smaller paragraph and
in order to make it relevant and to fit with the rest of your essay you MUST
make explicit links with the other issues you have discussed and in a way which
enhances your line of argument.
CONCLUSION – Sum up argument (points & historiography), explicitly show
YOUR answer. Which historian do you agree with & why???
DO NOT SIT ON THE FENCE!!!!! [Insert angry face!] Below is an example of a
LONG conclusion. Read over it and understand the ways in which it answers the
question. How would you change/adapt it when writing your own essay?
Overall, this essay acknowledges that many factors were important to women
receiving the vote, yet, it can be concluded that although WWI demands significant
consideration the traditionalist view of it being the main reason for women receiving
the vote is invalid. As Pugh suggests, the claim that women’s work during WWI was
the most important reason is too simplistic because the change in status during WWI
was a temporary one. Indeed, pre-war status of women was re-instated post war, with
women being removed from wartime employment to make way for men. The
importance of sustained pressure placed on the government by Suffrage campaign
groups such as the NUWSS and WSPU, as noted by revisionists such as Holton, also
played a considerable role in women receiving the vote. Indeed, other countries (e.g.
France) who refused women the vote post WWI lacked a pre-war suffrage campaign.
Furthermore, to a lesser extent was the influence of changing attitudes towards
women – both in the UK and abroad. From the 1860s, the British government had
introduced many different laws which provided women with greater educational and
political equality (e.g. the Municipal Franchise Act) each providing women with
another stepping stone towards the vote. It is, therefore, more valid to suggest that
WWI “paved the way” for the Representation of the People Act and that without prewar suffrage campaigning and slowly changing social status, women would not
received the vote in 1918.
“Women proved by their work during WWI that they deserved the vote.” How
accurate is this view that women only received the vote because of their war efforts?