Women’s Suffrage & the First World War

This section explains the role of the first world war and how it lead to Women’s Suffrage. For many years, women in Britain had campaigned tirelessly for the right to vote. Despite their long-running efforts, it was ultimately the events of the First World War that played a pivotal role in securing women's suffrage. The war provided women with the opportunity to challenge traditional stereotypes about their roles in society and to prove their capabilities in areas that had previously been deemed unsuitable for them. By the end of the war, women who were over 30 and property owners gained the right to vote in general elections. However, full voting equality between men and women was not achieved until 1928.

Reactions to the First World War

When the war broke out in 1914, the main suffrage organisations—the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) and the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies (NUWSS)—decided to temporarily suspend their campaigns for women’s suffrage and focus on supporting the war effort. This was a pragmatic decision, as the groups recognised the importance of national unity during such a critical time.

• The WSPU (known for their militant methods) and the NUWSS (who had been campaigning through peaceful means) both agreed to cease their activities in order to contribute to the war effort.
• However, the Women’s Freedom League (WFL), a pacifist organisation, refused to support the war, staying true to their beliefs of non-violence.

As the war progressed, men were sent to the frontlines to fight, leaving a vast number of jobs open in civilian life. Thousands of women stepped into these roles, taking on work that had previously been exclusively reserved for men. Women worked in factories, hospitals, on farms, in transport networks, and even in roles within the police force.

How the First World War Helped Women Gain the Vote

The involvement of women in the war effort allowed them to prove their worth in a variety of ways, dispelling long-held arguments about their emotional instability and supposed "place" in the home.

Women Succeeding in Jobs Traditionally Held by Men

• During the war, women took on physically demanding jobs, such as working in factories and on farms, roles that were previously thought to be beyond their abilities.
• Women also worked as bus and train drivers, showing that they could handle tasks previously considered "men’s work".
• This helped challenge the long-standing idea that a woman's place was solely in the home and that women were incapable of rational, level-headed decision-making in the workplace.

Disproving Fears about Women’s Impact on Children

• One of the arguments made by those opposed to women working was that it would negatively affect children, particularly in terms of childcare and nurturing. The war proved that women could balance work and family responsibilities, as many continued to care for their children while also contributing to the workforce.

Women’s Contributions to the War Effort

• Women made a crucial contribution to the war by working in munitions factories, producing weapons and ammunition, as well as working on farms to ensure food production. These efforts were instrumental in maintaining the country’s resources and helping Britain to eventually win the war.
• In 1918, Prime Minister David Lloyd George acknowledged the vital role played by women in the war, stating:

"It would have been utterly impossible for us to have won the war had it not been for the skill, enthusiasm and industry which the women of this country have thrown into the war."

The Representation of the People Act, 1918

The immense contribution of women during the war was recognised by the government after the war ended in 1918. The Representation of the People Act was passed, marking a significant step towards gender equality in the political sphere.

• Key Provisions of the Act:
  • All men over the age of 21 were granted the right to vote, meeting the demand for universal male suffrage, which had been a key objective of the Chartists in the 19th century.
  • Women were granted the vote, but only those over the age of 30 and who owned property. This enfranchised a significant number of women, especially those from the middle and upper classes.

Impacts of the Representation of the People Act

The passing of the Representation of the People Act in 1918 marked an important milestone in the women’s suffrage movement, but it did not grant full voting equality.

• Universal Suffrage for Men: The act ensured that all men over the age of 21 could vote, fulfilling one of the key demands of the Chartist movement and providing a major victory for working-class men.
• Partial Suffrage for Women: While many middle-class women were now able to vote, working-class women and women under the age of 30 were still excluded from the electorate. This created a significant disparity between the sexes, meaning the struggle for full female suffrage continued.
• The Need for Further Change: The Act did not grant equal voting rights to all women. The suffrage movement continued to push for complete equality in voting rights, advocating for the removal of restrictions based on age and property ownership.

The Final Achievement of Equal Voting Rights: 1928

It was not until 1928 that women in Britain achieved full voting equality with men. The Representation of the People (Equal Franchise) Act of 1928 finally granted the vote to all women aged 21 and over, regardless of property ownership. This meant that men and women now had equal voting rights, a monumental achievement in the long struggle for women’s suffrage.

• For the first time, women had the same voting rights as men, and this marked a significant step towards gender equality in British society.
• However, despite this victory in voting rights, women still faced significant inequality in other areas of society. The Women’s Movement emerged in the years following the suffrage victories, continuing to campaign for gender equality in various aspects of public and private life.

Conclusion

While the struggle for women’s suffrage in Britain had been long and difficult, it was the events of the First World War that provided women with the opportunity to prove their value to society. By taking on crucial roles during the war, women disproved many of the sexist arguments that had previously justified their exclusion from political life. In recognition of their contributions, women over 30 who owned property gained the right to vote in 1918, and full voting equality was achieved in 1928. Although progress was made, the campaign for gender equality in other areas of life continued.