Women and the vote - Changing attitudes to women

2. Changing attitudesChanging attitudes
More women had jobs. In addition
women were the main or only
earners in many homes e.g. mill
workers in Dundee.
In addition, women had also
gained more legal rights e.g.
• Infant Custody Act 1873
• Local Government Act 1894
(votes for property owning women
in local elections)

3. Changing attitudesChanging attitudes
Women also played a greater
political role, such as taking part in
campaigns, or even becoming
mayors, such as Elizabeth
Garrett Anderson.
All of this happened at the same
time as more men were getting the
right to vote. In 1867 and 1884,
working class men had gained the
Franchise.

4. Influence of WW1Influence of WW1
World War One helped change
attitudes towards women too.
As men were sent overseas to
fight in the war, women did the
jobs left vacant, undermining ideas
they were irresponsible.
Also, the Suffragettes suspended
their violent campaign to support
the war effort.

5. Changing attitudesChanging attitudes
As women gained more legal
rights, this was evidence that
negative social attitudes towards
them were beginning to change.
Women’s war effort – both
working and the Suffragettes
suspending their campaign – also
enhanced the idea that women
were responsible and deserved
the vote.

6. Changing attitudesChanging attitudes
Women’s political progress (such
as getting elected in local areas)
showed that they were more than
capable of participating in politics
and so should gain the right to
vote.
Furthermore, the fact that poor
men had the vote whilst rich and
educated women increased
support for women’s demands.

7. Changing attitudesChanging attitudes
Working women were not new –
they had been at the heart of the
industrial revolution (c.1750s-
1850s). This was almost two
centuries before women could vote.
Also many working women did not
actually get the vote in 1918; under-
30s and poorer women (one of the
main groups of workers) were not
included at first.