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The Womens Social Political Union forms
The WSPU was formed on the 10th of October, 1903, in the home of Emmeline Pankhurst. These women decided to take action against the government and fight for their rights to vote. They came up with the motto 'Deeds Not Words.' Originally, the WSPU didnt take drastic action to get noticed, their aim was to be peaceful and education and to convince the public that women deserved to vote. -
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The WSPU
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Christabel Pankhurst and Annie Kenny see Sir Edward Grey speak
After two years of hard work, the WSPU decided to send two of its members, Christabel Pankhurst and Annie Kenny, to Manchester to question Sir Edward Grey at a public meeting. In an effort to get attention, they painted on a large banner "WILL YOU GIVE VOTES FOR WOMEN?" and held it up during the speech. They were arrested after police attempted to remove them from the meeting and they resisted. They both received fines they refusted to pay for allegedly "assaulting" and "spitting" at the police. -
Emmeline Pankhurst
Despite the fact that holding up banners got two suffragettes arrested, Emmeline Pankhurst decided that the words 'Votes for Women' would be written on large banners and held up at every public political meeting where an important member of government was going to speak. -
The WSPU extend to London
The WSPU moved from Manchester to London where they distributed handbills, chalked announcements on pavements and did door-to-door knocking to spread their message. -
400 women march
The first suffrage procession was held on this day when 400 suffragettes marched to a meeting held at Caxton Hall in London. They waited outside in the pouring rain but were told they could not enter. Even though they were all disappointed, Emmeline Pankhurst wrote words of hope: "Women had always fought for men and for their children. Now they were ready to fight for their own human rights. Our militant movement was established." -
The Prime Minister
After their request to see the Prime Minister was deemed not possible, a deputation from the WSPU marched to No. 10 Downing Street, the residence of the Prime Minister. They were told by the staff to leave but refused. -
William Randall Cremer
William Randall Cremer speaks out against women getting the right to vote after the Chairman of the Independent Labour Party, Heir Hardie, managed to have a Women's Suffrage Resolution discussed in the House of Commons. -
The WSPU campaign included a "Women's Parliament."
The women of the WSPU were well aware that they were not allowed to participate in any House of Commons debate, but gathered in Caxton Hall anyway to discuss the King's Speech. -
Downing Street gathering
Women gathered outside Downing Street to deman interviews with Cabinet Ministers as they arrived for the first Cabinet Council of the season. -
The Daily Mirror
The Daily Mirror, a leading newspaper in the UK, reported on the tactics of Miss McLellan and Miss Soloman used to try and see Mr Asquith.
