Women's Suffrage

Definition

• Women's suffrage: The right of women by law to vote in national or local elections.

Historical Context

• Exclusion from voting in ancient Greece, republican Rome, and early European democracies.
• The franchise was widened in the UK in 1832, but women were still denied voting rights.

Key Developments

• 19th Century: Women's voting rights became a political issue in Great Britain and the United States.
• Early 20th Century: Women gained national voting rights in several countries:
  • New Zealand (1893)
  • Australia (1902)
  • Finland (1906)
  • Norway (1913)
• World War I: Accelerated enfranchisement in Europe and beyond; 28 countries granted or equalized voting rights for women (1914-1939).

Key Milestones

• Post World War II: Countries like France, Italy, and China allowed women's suffrage.
• By 1952: UN Convention on the Political Rights of Women.
• By 1971: Switzerland allowed women to vote in federal elections.

Women's Suffrage in Great Britain

• Mary Wollstonecraft: Advocated women's suffrage in her 1792 book, A Vindication of the Rights of Woman.
• Chartist Movement (1840s): Demanded women's suffrage.
• John Stuart Mill: Presented a petition to Parliament in 1867.
• Late 1800s: Rise of suffrage societies, increasing public petitions.
• 1897: Formation of National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies.
• 1906-1914: Rise of militant suffragettes led by Emmeline and Christabel Pankhurst.
• World War I: Shifted to support war efforts, gaining public support for suffrage.
• 1918: Representation of the People Act enfranchised women over 30.
• 1928: Voting age for women lowered to match men at 21.

Key Figures

• Mary Wollstonecraft
• Emmeline Pankhurst
• Christabel Pankhurst
• Susan B. Anthony
• Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Impact and Legacy

• Women's suffrage movements highlighted gender equality and laid the foundation for future feminist movements.
• Brought attention to women's rights globally.
• Paved the way for women's increased participation in politics and public life.

Conclusion

The struggle for women's suffrage was a significant chapter in the history of women's rights. It involved persistent advocacy, social movements, and legislative changes, culminating in the recognition of women's right to vote across the world.