Women and the campaign for the vote

By the time that Lloyd George had come to power the vote for men had dramatically increased. Women, on the other hand were still kept out of the picture. There were several arguments used against women having the vote. Many are so silly that they would never be used today. Others you may recognise from what people may still say. It is clear that women have much more equality with men today, however, it is also a fact that women today are still short of being treated equally in pay, working conditions and the chance to be successful in lots of areas.

This unit looks at how women went about the campaign to gain equality.

Arguments for and against women having the vote.

FOR

Women argued for the vote on a number of different points. Here are some:-

1) Parliaments decisions effect everyone and therefore everyone should have a say.

2) Many single women have to make decisions that are so called 'men's decisions', so they have proved they can understand things about how the country is run.

3) Women are the spiritual backbone of the nation - their involvement in decision making can only be good.

4) Women are involved more and more in education and the professions- it's about time the next step of getting the vote was added.

5) women pay tax like men- no taxation without representation.

6) Women can vote in local elections so why not national?

7) Men with no education have the vote so it doesn't make sense that educated women cannot.

AGAINST

1) Women are homemakers and don't understand issues that effect how the country is run.

2) Middle class women are campaigning for the vote. If they are honest they only care about themselves and don't really care about working class women.

3) Women are too emotional. They let things influence them that have little to do with facts.

4) A women should remain 'ladylike' and keep out of the grubby world of politics.

5) Developing a career and an interest in [politics will lead to neglected families.

6) If some women get the vote this will mean all will have to get it. layabouts will have a say in who runs the country!

7) There are far more important things than the vote to worry about.

8) Women don't fight in wars. Why should they have a say in the country going to war?

RETURN TO THE YEAR 10 AND 11 PAGE FOR MORE ON WOMEN AND THE VOTE.