Women and the Vote Essay Plan
To be used for essays that ask why women got the vote (most questions will be
‘isolated factor’ types)
DO THE FACTOR IN THE QUESTION FIRST!!!!!
1. Intro – SEAF
Start Date – 1850, women unenfranchised – few rights socially, economically,
legally or politically. 1867 – proposed amendment to the Second
Reform Bill to enfranchise women (J S Mill) failed, but represents
beginning of national political campaign to enfranchise women.
End Date – 1918 – women over 30 enfranchised in Representation of the People
Act
Argument – refer to the factor in the question and outline your argument
Factors –
explain what the other factors were that led to the enfranchisement of
women (Changing status of women, campaigns of NUWSS and
WSPU, women’s war work, the wider impact of the First World War.
If the isolated factor is the First World War mention that there are also
some arguments that the war may have slowed down the
enfranchisement of women).
2. The Changing Status of Women
Women’s social position in 1850s and progress made by 1900. You must relate this
to the question though – explain that social/economic/legal progress was necessary
before political progress could be made.
3. Suffragists (NUWSS)
Tactics/campaign
Strengths and weaknesses
MIX UP STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES WITH CAMPAIGN. DON’T ‘TAG
ON ALL YOUR ARGUMENT AT THE END OF THE SECTION’
4. Suffragettes (WSPU)
Tactics/campaign
Strengths and weaknesses
DITTO ABOVE
(In the Suffragists and Suffragettes sections make sure that you mention the
CONCILIATION BILLS.)
6. Women’s contribution to the First World War
7. Wider impact of the war ( Democracy, Lloyd George, Changing the system to
give the vote to men, the suspension of the Suffragette campaign)
How the war may have slowed enfranchisement down.
7. Conclusion