Formation of the Women's Social and Political Union

The Women’ Social and Political Union was formed by Emmeline Pankhurst in 1903 in order to start protesting for women’s right to vote in England. While the main concern was to gain women access to vote, they also fought for women’s suffrage in general including more work opportunities. The women in the union were the first to be deemed Suffragettes. The title came from the term suffragist, which was peaceful protest of woman’s suffrage. The definition of a suffragette is “a woman who is fighting for a right to vote with organized protest”. However, these protests were often violent and considered anything but peaceful. The Suffragettes started fires, vandalized political buildings, were sexually assaulted and restrained by the police, as well as caused uproar during voting periods. If imprisoned, the strikes did not stop. Once in prison, the Suffragettes would often refuse to eat, and the prison would then have to force feed the women. The protesting went on for fourteen years before finally dissolving in 1917. Emmeline Pankhurst died on June 14, 1928 and did not see the fruit of her efforts. Less than a month after Pankhurst’s death the law gave women the same right to vote as men. Several suffragette-based organizations succeeded the Women’s Political and Social Union. Including the Women’s Freedom League and the East London Federation of Suffragettes.

Supplemental Materials:

The article by Karen Smith gives a good, brief overview of the WPSU, as well as several other related articles for more in-depth research. It also includes an image of Pankhurst and her daughter, Christabel, as well as a link to video footage of during the time of the WPSU.  Lance delves into the argument of non-violence as opposed to the violent and more bold position that the Women’s Political and Social union had undertaken. He uses research on the topic to present the idea that the WPSU did indeed get women the right to vote using their tactics. This article in particular is a harder read to digest, as it involves research into the subject matter. There is a biography of Emmeline Pankhurst included, that details her life specifically as it relates the Women’s Social and political union. I included a link to a short timeline of important events during the span of the fourteen years the WPSU was active. Overall these materials are short and concise. They provide important insight into the key events and martyrs of the WPSU.

Women's Political and Social Union

Strategy Choices of WPSU

WPSU Timeline

Emmeline Pankhurst Biography

Smith, Karen Mannes. “Women's Social and Political Union.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 17 Mar. 2017, www.britannica.com/topic/Womens-Social-and-Political-Union.

Lance, Keith Curry. “Strategy Choices of the Women’s Political and Social Union, 1903-18.” Social Science Quarterly, vol. 60, no. 1, 1979, pp. 51–61. JSTOR.

Kettler, Sara. “Emmeline Pankhurst.” Biography.com, A&E Networks Television, 27 Feb. 2018, www.biography.com/people/emmeline-pankhurst-9432764.