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The suffragettes
Victorian women had few rights and were expected to be submissive to their husbands. As the 19th century progressed, women were granted some new rights but not the right to vote. In 1866, the first petition to Parliament asking for women's suffrage was ignored. Peaceful suffrage societies formed but made no progress. The Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) led by Emmeline Pankhurst used more militant tactics like window smashing and arson to force the issue, dividing public opinion. After force-feeding of imprisoned suffragettes caused outrage, some support grew. Women who helped with wartime efforts gained recognition. In 1918, some women over 30 gained the right to vote.
