Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
Protest, agitation and parliamentary reform in Britain, c1780–1928 - 4 The…
Full specification wording
Paper 3, Option 36.1: Protest, agitation and parliamentary reform in Britain, c1780–1928 - 4 The Women’s Social and Political Union, 1903–14: WSPU organisation and tactics; extent of support; the reasons for, and impact of, increased militancy after 1908.
This topic examines the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU), founded in 1903 by Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 1 of 3
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
This topic examines the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU), founded in 1903 by Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters. It analyses the WSPU’s organisational structure, including its centralised leadership and paid organisers, and its tactics such as demonstrations, window-breaking, and arson. It considers the extent of support, from mass meetings to criticism from other suffragists. It explores why militancy increased after 1908, including frustration with government inaction and the influence of Christabel Pankhurst. Finally, it assesses the impact of militancy, such as publicity, imprisonment, force-feeding, and the eventual granting of partial suffrage in 1918.
What earns the marks
- Describes WSPU organisation: centralised control by the Pankhursts, paid staff, and local branches.
- Explains WSPU tactics: constitutional methods initially, then civil disobedience and violence after 1908.
- Assesses the extent of support: large demonstrations, but also opposition from non-militant suffragists and the public.
- Analyses reasons for increased militancy after 1908: government refusal to grant women the vote, the 'Cat and Mouse' Act, and leadership decisions.
- Evaluates the impact of militancy: raised public awareness, but also alienated some supporters and delayed conciliation.
- Discusses the role of key figures: Emmeline and Christabel Pankhurst, and the Women’s Freedom League split.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Stating that all suffragettes were violent.
Put it right: Distinguish between the WSPU’s militant wing and the non-militant suffragists of the NUWSS.
Claiming that militancy directly caused the 1918 Representation of the People Act.
Put it right: Recognise the impact of women’s war work and changing political climate as equally important.
Ignoring the extent of support beyond London.
Put it right: Include examples of WSPU activities and branches across the UK.
Exam tips
- Use specific examples of WSPU tactics and their consequences to support arguments.
- Compare the WSPU with other suffrage societies to assess the extent of support.
- When evaluating impact, consider short-term and long-term effects, and different perspectives.
Try the lesson
The start of the Paper 3, Option 36.1: Protest, agitation and parliamentary reform in Britain, c1780–1928 - 4 The Women’s Social and Political Union, 1903–14: WSPU organisation and tactics; extent of support; the reasons for, and impact of, increased militancy after 1908. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
What was the primary characteristic of the organisational structure of the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) under Emmeline and Christabel Pankhurst?
Listen
This topic examines the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU), founded in 1903 by Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters. It analyses the WSPU’s organisational structure, including its centralised leadership and paid organisers, and its tactics such as demonstrations, window-breaking, and arson. It considers the extent of support, from mass meetings to criticism from other suffragists. It explores why militancy increased after 1908, including frustration with government inaction and the influence of Christabel Pankhurst. Finally, it assesses the impact of militancy, such as publicity, imprisonment, force-feeding, and the eventual granting of partial suffrage in 1918. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Describes WSPU organisation: centralised control by the Pankhursts, paid staff, and local branches. Explains WSPU tactics: constitutional methods initially, then civil disobedience and violence after 1908. Assesses the extent of support: large demonstrations, but also opposition from non-militant suffragists and the public. Analyses reasons for increased militancy after 1908: government refusal to grant women the vote, the 'Cat and Mouse' Act, and leadership decisions. A common slip: stating that all suffragettes were violent. Instead, distinguish between the WSPU’s militant wing and the non-militant suffragists of the NUWSS. Exam tip: Use specific examples of WSPU tactics and their consequences to support arguments.
Put the events in order
Put these events in the order they happened, earliest first.
- 1. Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters founded the WSPU
- 2. Partial suffrage granted to women
- 3. Militancy increased after this point
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
WSPU
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Militancy
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Extent of support
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Impact of militancy
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See every definition
- WSPU
- Organisation founded in 1903 by Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters, with a centralised structure, paid organisers and local branches.
- Militancy
- Tactics of civil disobedience and violence, such as window-breaking and arson, which increased after 1908.
- Extent of support
- Range from mass meetings and large demonstrations to opposition from non-militant suffragists and the public.
- Impact of militancy
- Raised public awareness but also alienated some supporters and delayed conciliation, alongside imprisonment and force-feeding.
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