Suffrage For Women
Explain why women failed to gain the right to vote between 1900 and 1914
In the following essay I will be studying women in the twentieth century. I will be analysing their roles in society, how they were valued, and more importantly how they tried, and ultimately failed, to gain the power of suffrage.
It is clear to say that women were treated very differently to men during the nineteenth century. They were not seen as important as the opposite sex and were certainly undervalued. They did not have the right to an education or to have a career; instead a women’s job was to be a dutiful wife to her husband, a mother to his children and a supervisor of his household. When a woman married, all her earnings, property and even herself became her husbands. Also, if the couple separated the mother did not have any rights over her children. The idea that women should stay at home was on the basis that they were irrational and wouldn’t be able to survive in the world that was seen as a ‘man’s business’.
As the nineteenth century progressed women’s rights began to improve, although they were still not equal. Better laws meant that women had more rights in marriage and divorce, possessions and their children. Education also improved. Several schools opened but these were very expensive and most women could not afford to attend. Women were allowed to attend lectures and tutorials but they weren’t respected enough to achieve a degree. Jobs such as teaching and nursing also became available for women.
Many women felt they had the right to vote, after all, the laws were changing and women were gradually being accepted. They were now being educated, more and more women were working and they were already allowed to vote in local elections. This showed they were responsible and perfectly capable of voting and using their vote wisely. It only made sense for the general vote to become the next step. It would...
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