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The 19th Century
in the beginning of the 19th century there was much debate about universal male suffrage. This period is also marked by many great thinkers writing about equality and freedom. Following the French Revolution, all of Europe was beginning to question the current system and begun to make changes. Votes for Women. Digital image. The Suffragettes. N.p., 2011. Web. 7 Aug. 2015. http://nlg-steampunk.blogspot.com/2011/07/suffragettes-votes-for-women.html. -
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Suffrage Movement
Much like today there are many differences in the rights and freedoms given and protected by law from country to country. As times change and governments become more progressive, it is important to take note of the monumental reforms that have set the precedent for life today. The Women’s Suffrage Movement in Britain unfolded differently than the more widely known Suffrage Movement in the US. This timeline focuses on the events leading up to women gaining the right to vote in the UK. -
Reform Act of 1832
One of the first major reform acts in the 19th century, sometimes referred to as the Great Reform Act. This was the first of three acts aimed at universal male suffrage, This act did not extend full male suffrage but it was the first piece of legislation exculsively stating that only men have the right to vote. Third Reform Act: Gladstone Writes to the Queen. Digital image. The National Archives. The National Archives, n.d. Web. 7 Aug. 2015. <http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/pathways/citizens -
Chartist Movement
The chartist movement began after the first reform in 1832 failed to extend the suffrage to all men. The chartist's drafted a petition demanding universal male suffrage, secret ballots and a few other changes to the process. These petitions eventually led to more reform acts, meeting their demands. -
Second Reform Act
The second of three reform acts passed by Parliament during the 19th century. This act expanded male suffrage again without any acknowledgment of women’s suffrage. This reform also did not meet all the Chartists demands and still left out some due to property restrictions. -
Representation of the People Act
This act of parliament is also known as the third reform act. This act expanded male suffrage further than the first 2 acts. This act also redistributed seats in parliament. This act is another example of legislation that ignores the question of women's suffrage despite the ongoing movement. -
Local Government Act
This act of Parliment reformed government at the local or county level. The act allowed women who owned property to vote in local elections, win custody and act on school boards, This act fueled the push for suffrage on a national level. -
National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies Formed
By the late 1890’s there were over 15 groups advocating for Women’s suffrage in the UK. In 1897 3 major groups around London merged together creating the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies or NUWSS. The new organization held meetings, published and distributed literature and was pushing for the right to vote “as it is or will be” for men. This organization was not militant like it’s successor the WSPU. NUWSS. British Library http://www.bl.uk/learning/images/makeanimpact/suffragette -
Women's Social and Political Union Formed
The Women’s Social and Political Union or the WSPU was founded by Emmaline Pankhurst in 1903. A member of several other organizations Emmaline wanted to push harder for Women’s rights so she started a new Women’s suffrage movement. The WSPU started out as a peaceful organization but eventually turned militant due to a lack of results. -
Black Friday
Black Friday was a protest organized by the WSPU at the House of Commons, following the end of parliament discussing a bill for women’s suffrage. This protest turned violent with women smashing windows and eventually police violence against the members of WSPU. This event made quite a statement despite the government’s attempts to cover
up the story. Several women died and this event ended the peaceful fight for the right to vote. -
Representation of the People Act
Sometimes known as the fourth reform act this was the first win for the womens suffrage movement. This act of Parliament gave all men over the age of 21 the right to vote. This act also allowed women over 30, who were married to a registered voter, owned property, or a graduate of a university the right to vote. -
Qualification of Women Act
This act of Parliament allowed women to run for public office. It also allowed women to sit as a voting member in the House of Commons in Britain for the first time. This law stated that a women can not be disqualified from running because of their sex or marital status. https://blogs.ucl.ac.uk/researchers-in-museums/tag/womens-suffrage/ -
Representation of the People (Equal Franchise) Act
This act gave all women over 21 the right to vote, this act was an expansion of the early Representation of the People Act of 1918. This act widened suffrage and allowed all women to vote regardless of property ownership.
