Protest, agitation and parliamentary reform in Britain, c1780–1928 - 4 The…

The idea

This topic examines four leading figures and evaluates how far the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) had succeeded by 1914. Emmeline Pankhurst founded the WSPU in 1903 and drove its militant strategy; Christabel Pankhurst directed much of its publicity and policy from London and later Paris; Sylvia Pankhurst worked among working-class women in the East End and was increasingly at odds with her mother and sister. Emily Davison is best known for her death at the 1913 Derby, but she was also a persistent campaigner who undertook hunger strikes and window-breaking. Success by 1914 can be judged by publicity, membership, parliamentary progress and the failure to win the vote.

What earns the marks

• Emmeline Pankhurst provided leadership and a clear militant strategy, using the motto 'Deeds not words' and accepting imprisonment to keep the campaign in the news.
• Christabel Pankhurst was a key strategist and speaker; she helped organise the 1907 'Women's Parliament' and later directed WSPU activity from Paris to avoid arrest.
• Sylvia Pankhurst focused on organising working-class women in London's East End, which brought the WSPU into contact with socialist and labour movements but created tensions with the leadership.
• Emily Davison's militant actions, including hunger strikes and the 1913 Derby protest, generated enormous publicity, though her death did not immediately win the vote.
• By 1914 the WSPU had raised the profile of women's suffrage, gained thousands of members and forced debate, but no women could vote in parliamentary elections, so political success was limited.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

• Treating the WSPU as a single unified organisation.

  Put it right by noting the different emphases of Emmeline, Christabel and Sylvia Pankhurst, and the tensions between them.

• Assuming that Emily Davison's death at the Derby directly caused women to win the vote.

  Put it right by explaining that the vote was not granted until 1918 and 1928, and that her action was part of a wider campaign.

• Confusing publicity with legislative success.

  Put it right by separating the WSPU's ability to attract attention from its failure to secure a suffrage bill before 1914.

• Using vague terms such as 'the government' without distinguishing between Asquith's Liberal government and backbench MPs.

  Put it right by naming key figures and the specific bills concerned.

Exam tips

• Plan your answer around the criteria for success: publicity, membership, parliamentary impact and the ultimate goal of the vote.
• Use precise dates and names, such as the 1903 founding, the 1907 Women's Parliament, the 1910 and 1911 Conciliation Bills, and the 1913 Derby.
• When discussing the Pankhursts, compare their roles and note disagreements, especially Sylvia's East End work versus Christabel's national strategy.
• Reach a clear judgement on the extent of success by 1914, supported by evidence on both sides.