Not exactly a War Story but things changed for the Suffragette Movement after WWI, so makes interesting reading (and I had nowhere else to put this!)
The following information has been researched from, and can be found, along with lots more information, in the Book – 'The Scottish Suffragettes', by Leah Leneman. ISBN 1-901663-40-x. published by National Museums of Scotland and available from them at www.nms.ac.uk Also available from Amazon.
(Note from blogmaster-There are many interesting stories of brave individual women in the book. Restrictions of copyright prohibit me from including them in this article)
Additional information can be found the West Lothian Local History Library booklet titled 'Suffragettes in West Lothian', which has also been used for research here.
(Note from blogmaster-There are many interesting stories of brave individual women in the book. Restrictions of copyright prohibit me from including them in this article)
Additional information can be found the West Lothian Local History Library booklet titled 'Suffragettes in West Lothian', which has also been used for research here.
Leah Lenemen writes that between 1867 and 1876, 2 million signatures were collected in Scotland, to petition for women to have the same voting rights as men. On presentation, this petition failed and led to the formation of the Women's Suffrage Societies in London, Manchester and Edinburgh.
In 1887, seventeen of these groups united to form the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies (NUWSS). They adopted a peaceful, non -confrontational approach.
In West Scotland, the Association for Women's Suffrage formed in 1902. West Lothian's first Suffragette meeting was in 1909 and by 1914 there were Suffragette meetings being held in most of West Lothian.
In 1887, seventeen of these groups united to form the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies (NUWSS). They adopted a peaceful, non -confrontational approach.
In West Scotland, the Association for Women's Suffrage formed in 1902. West Lothian's first Suffragette meeting was in 1909 and by 1914 there were Suffragette meetings being held in most of West Lothian.
In 1903, Emmeline Pankhurst and daughters (Sylvia and Christabel) formed the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) in Manchester. This was the start of the militant Suffragette movement.
The first Scottish militant demonstration took place in Glasgow in 1909 where women forced their way into a political meeting. They wanted publicity and to encourage more women to join the cause.
The first imprisoned Suffragettes in England started hunger strikes in protest of their treatment. They were forcibly fed, bringing many to a critical condition, resulting in release. Thereafter all imprisoned Suffragettes went on hunger strike.
In March 1912, several Scotswomen marched from Edinburgh to London to participate in a three day window smashing raid, resulting in over 200 arrests and imprisonments in Holloway, subsequently going on hunger strike and in some cases, force fed.
In 1913, in Scotland, acid attacks on pillar boxes were favoured, destroying letters. The attacks escalated to arson on important buildings. The arsonists who were caught, faced imprisonment. The Cat and Mouse Act was passed in 1913 and Suffragettes were not to be force fed when on hunger strike. Instead they were imprisoned until they weakened, then released, on oath, to return once they had recovered. Many did not return and disappeared.
In Scotland the first force fed Suffragettes occured in 1914. The Prison Commissioners grew fed up with the 'Cat and Mouse Act' and decided that any convicted Suffragettes in Scotland, who went on hunger strike, would be forcibly fed at Perth Prison.
The onset of World War I saw an end to the militant activities of the WSUP. All Suffragettes were released from prison and they threw themselves into supporting Britain's War effort. In 1918, women over 30 were given the right to vote, followed in 1928 after more militancy, for women over 21.
© Queensferry History Group 2016