World War 1

Women Suffrage
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Below is about female suffrage groups; Suffragists (NUWSS), Suffragettes (WSPU). Also about the death of Emily Davison.

Suffragists
The suffragists are campaigners for the Woman Suffrage, the NUWSS (National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies). The leader was Mrs Millicent Fawcett. She argued with MPs, issued leaflets, presented petitions and organised meetings. She thought it was crucial that it should be kept in the puplic eye. 1900 they had achieved some success, gaining the support of many Liberal Mps and some leading Conservitive MPs as well as the small Labour Party.
     However there was only some prepared to support the Woman Suffrage. Many backbench Liberal MPs were supporters of the votes for women, but Liberal leaders were opposed to it, because they feared that if only better-off, property-owning women got the vote so they would vote for the Conservative Party. Where as Conservative leaders, liking the fact of more conservitive voters, were quite keen on Women's suffrage. But they took no action because their backbench MPs were completely opposed, on principle, to changing the role of women.

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Suffragettes
The lack of success frustrated many of the Suffragists, as a result, in 1903 Mrs. Emmeline Pankhurst founded a new campaign orginisation. The Woman's Social and Political Union (WSPU), made from the frustrated Suffragists. Mrs Pankhurst thought that the movement had to become more radical and militant if it was to succeed. The Daily Mail called them the 'Suffragettes', and they soon made the headlines.
     The Suffragettes disrupted political meetings and harassed ministers. The Liberal Prime Minister, Asquith, who was firmly opposed to women suffrage, was to encounter heavy abuse.

Emily Davison

The 5th of June 1913, the day of the world-famous horse race, the Derby, at Epsom race course. Tens of thousands of spectators were waiting for the big race. Among the crowds were members of the Royal Family, Political Leaders and many reporters and photographers. Anything that happened at the Derby was big news.

     Emily Davison thought this was a perfect day to publicise the suffragette cause. When the horses rounded Tottenham Corner, Miss Davison rushed out and tried to catch hold of a horse, the royal horse Anmer.

     Emily Davison was thrown to the ground; her skull was fatally fractured by a blow from a horses hoof. Both Emily Davison and Anmer, the Royal Horse both died and the Jockey could have died but fortunately, lived. At first people thought she was just a martyr for the cause.

     But really she was attempting to do a publicity stunt. As the king's horse, Anmer was in the race. She was attempting to stop the horse and put the Suffragette flag on the Kings horse. So literally the King's Horse would finish the race flying the Suffragette flag, she attempted this stunt with other horses. But on the day she misestimates the speed and power of the horse, ending up in her death.