A GUID CAUSE... THE WOMEN S SUFFRAGE MOVEMENT IN SCOTLAND Project 1 / Learning Activity 2 / Activity 2 What methods did the suffragettes and suffragist use?
ACTIVITY 2 - SUFFRAGETTES The suffragettes believed that the suffragist campaign was not working. They felt that more direct action was needed to make people sit up and take notice. They broke away from the NUWSS and formed the Women s Social and Political Union (WSPU). They adopted much more militant techniques, which certainly kept their campaign in the public eye but also stirred up opposition to their cause. Many saw their methods as unwomanly and people were shocked at their behaviour. The Daily Mail newspaper nicknamed them the suffragettes. Many of the sources on this site were taken from the collections of Janie Allen, an active suffragette from Glasgow. 1. Look at Source 10 and Source 11. These sources tell you about the Edinburgh March of 9 October 1909. The WSPU organised groups of women from all over Scotland to join the march. This was attended by suffragists and suffragettes and was a great success. Crowds lined the streets to watch the procession. Lorries were fitted out with scenes showing successful women from the past, and women held banners with slogans like A guid cause maks a strong arm. The Edinburgh March was an example of direct action by the suffragettes. What do you think they hoped to achieve from this event? Using the sources as evidence, do you think that they were successful? www.nls.uk 2
2. Read Source 12, Source 13a, 13b, Source 14. These sources are about Census Night 1911, where suffragettes boycotted the 1911 census. Women who owned property said that if they did not have the vote then they did not exist and they refused to fill in the form. Others stayed overnight in caravans so that they were not in their homes when the census was held. Many attended halls where suffragettes performed pageants to entertain them. This is an example of civil disobedience by the Scottish suffragettes. What do you think they hoped to achieve by this? Do you think this was a good way to achieve this? Explain your answer. www.nls.uk 3
3. Read Source 15, Source 16 and Source 17. These sources show examples of the militant methods used during the suffragette movement. Choose one of these sources and explain what militant methods are being used. How effective do you think this form of campaigning would be? How fully does this source show the methods used to campaign for the vote? What do you think the reaction would be today if a group was using suffragette methods? Think about what the government would do and what the newspapers would say. Do you think this is an effective form of campaigning? Explain your answer. www.nls.uk 4
Appendix www.nls.uk 5
SOURCE 10: PHOTOGRAPH THE EDNIBURGH MARCH www.nls.uk 6
SOURCE 10: PHOTOGRAPH THE EDNIBURGH MARCH The image shows the suffrage procession which took place in Edinburgh on 10 October, 1909. The event was organised by the Women s Social and Political Union (WSPU), and focused on the achievements of women in the past and the opportunities for women in the future. This photograph shows the procession advancing along Princes Street, Edinburgh. This postcard image comes from Ellen Gorrie s photographic album. She joined the WSPU around 1908 and played the prized part of Mary Queen of Scots in the WSPU procession held in Edinburgh in October 1909. [Shelfmark: NLS, Acc. 4546/1 (2)] www.nls.uk 7
SOURCE 11: ARTICLE SCOTSMAN, 11 OCTOBER 1909 www.nls.uk 8
SOURCE 11: ARTICLE SCOTSMAN, 11 OCTOBER 1909 This article from The Scotsman describes the suffrage procession which was organised by members of the Women s Social and Political Union (WSPU) and which took place in Edinburgh on 10 October 1909. www.nls.uk 9
SOURCE 12: PHOTOGRAPH, CENSUS NIGHT www.nls.uk 10
SOURCE 12: PHOTOGRAPH, CENSUS NIGHT On 3 April 1911, the militant suffragettes decided to boycott the census and refused to be counted. Many female householders wrote no vote, no census on their forms, and some campaigners arranged to stay away from home on the day that the census was taken. In towns and cities across Scotland, women met together in cafes and offices, and organised musical and dramatic entertainment that lasted throughout the night. This postcard image comes from Ellen Gorrie s photographic album. She joined the Women s Social and Political Union (WSPU) around 1908 and played the prized part of Mary Queen of Scots in the WSPU procession held in Edinburgh on 10 October 1909. [Shelfmark: NLS, Acc. 4546/2 (21)] www.nls.uk 11
SOURCE 13A: ARTICLE SUFFRAGETTE ACTION, 3 MARCH 1911 P.351 CENSUS RESISTANCE www.nls.uk 12
SOURCE 13A: ARTICLE SUFFRAGETTE ACTION, 3 MARCH 1911 P.351 CENSUS RESISTANCE On 3 April 1911, the militant suffragettes decided to boycott the census and refused to be counted. Many female householders wrote no vote, no census on their forms, and some campaigners arranged to stay away from home on the day that the census was taken. In towns and cities across Scotland, women met together in cafes and offices, and organised musical and dramatic entertainment that lasted throughout the night. www.nls.uk 13
SOURCE 13B: CENSUS NIGHT SLEEPOVER MARCH 1911 www.nls.uk 14
SOURCE 13B: CENSUS NIGHT SLEEPOVER MARCH 1911 On 3 April 1911, the militant suffragettes decided to boycott the census and refused to be counted. Many female householders wrote no vote, no census on their forms, and some campaigners arranged to stay away from home on the day that the census was taken. In towns and cities across Scotland, women met together in cafes and offices, and organised musical and dramatic entertainment that lasted throughout the night. www.nls.uk 15
SOURCE 14: CARTOON FROM VOTES FOR WOMEN, 24 MARCH 1911 NO VOTE, NO CENSUS www.nls.uk 16
SOURCE 14: CARTOON FROM VOTES FOR WOMEN, 24 MARCH 1911 NO VOTE, NO CENSUS On 3 April 1911, the militant suffragettes decided to boycott the census and refused to be counted. Many female householders wrote no vote, no census on their forms, and some campaigners arranged to stay away from home on the day that the census was taken. In towns and cities across Scotland, women met together in cafes and offices, and organised musical and dramatic entertainment that lasted throughout the night. www.nls.uk 17
SOURCE 15: ARTICLE DARING OUTRAGE AT PERTH (ACC 4498/6) www.nls.uk 18
SOURCE 15: ARTICLE DARING OUTRAGE AT PERTH (ACC 4498/6) Perth became an active focus of protest as a result of the imprisonment of many suffragettes in the town s prison. The royal visit on 10 July 1914 became a good opportunity to launch further militant action. As the royal party progressed through the town centre, Rhoda Fleming, a 27 year old woman, dashed from the crowd and tried to approach the royal car. She was restrained by the police and taken to the Police station. The Glasgow Herald, 11 July 1914. [Shelfmark: Acc. 4498/6] www.nls.uk 19
SOURCE 16: PHOTOGRAPH SHOWING CHURCHILL BEING ATTACKED BY SUFFRAGETTES IN DUNDEE IN SEPTEMBER 1911 VOTES FOR WOMEN WSPU PAPER (13 SEPTEMBER 1912 P. 804) www.nls.uk 20
SOURCE 16: PHOTOGRAPH SHOWING CHURCHILL BEING ATTACKED BY SUFFRAGETTES IN DUNDEE IN SEPTEMBER 1911 VOTES FOR WOMEN WSPU PAPER (13 SEPTEMBER 1912 P. 804) Winston Churchill (1874 1965) opposed female suffrage. His political opinions caused a great deal of anger among the suffragettes. This photograph shows him being confronted by a suffragette in the course of a visit to Aberdeen in 1912. www.nls.uk 21
SOURCE 17: ARTICLE STORMY SCENES AT EDINBURGH TRIAL IN THE SUFFRAGETTE, 10 JULY, 1914 (ACC 4495/6) www.nls.uk 22
SOURCE 17: ARTICLE STORMY SCENES AT EDINBURGH TRIAL IN THE SUFFRAGETTE, 10 JULY, 1914 (ACC 4495/6) This newspaper article refers to Maude Edwards trial at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Friday 3 July 1914. She had slashed John Lavery s portrait of King George V on display at the Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh. The outrage was aimed to draw attention to Mrs Pankhurst s failed attempt to lead a deputation to the King at the gates of Buckingham Palace. Maude Edwards was convicted for damaging the painting and imprisoned in Perth. While in jail, she was force fed despite suffering from a heart condition. She was released on 14 July 1914. The suffragette, 10 July 1914. [Shelfmark: Acc. 4498/6] Source: The Women s Suffrage Movement in Britain and Ireland: A Regional Survey, by Elizabeth Crawford www.nls.uk 23