The suffragette timeline
Click one of the markers on the timeline below to
reveal information on what happened in each year.

#### 1867

| In 1867 the National Society for Women’s Suffrage was set up, under the leadership of Lydia Becker.
Lydia Becker (1827-1880), founder member of the National Society for Women's Suffrage
The emphasis of these bodies was on peaceful protest and the attempt to persuade people through moral reasoning. Men were allowed to join as well as women, and supporters were known as 'suffragists'.

Close

#### 1897

| 1897 saw the formation of the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies (NUWSS), under the leadership of Millicent Fawcett
Millicent Fawcett (1847-1929)
The emphasis of these bodies was on peaceful protests and the attempt to persuade people through moral reasoning. Men were allowed to join as well as women, and supporters were known as 'suffragists'.

Close

#### 1900

However, by the end of the century, there was no progress towards women gaining the vote in national elections.

Close

#### 1903

In response to this, in 1903, the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) was founded by Emmeline Pankhurst (1858-1928) and her daughters Christabel (1880-1960) and Sylvia (1882-1960).

The WSPU, a women-only organisation, was committed to militant protest to force change on the political establishment, and it used all means available to get public attention for its cause.

Its motto was 'Deeds Not words'. Soon it became clear that these 'deeds' included direct 'physical force' action: members were ready to break the law and be arrested, and those who went to prison were revered as 'martyrs'.

Close

#### 1906

In 1906, the Daily Mail coined the term ‘suffragettes’ to describe these protestors.

Close

#### 1914

1914 saw the outbreak of world war. Most campaigners (including WSPU) suspend their protests and support the war effort.

Close

#### 1918

In 1918 women over 30 were given the vote.

Close

#### 1928

In 1928 women over 21 were given the equal right to vote.

Close