Centre of Excellence – History of the Suffragettes Diploma Course

We’ll look at how the French Revolution influenced the struggle for female suffrage in Britain, the movement’s first steps, and the formation of the main suffrage societies.

You’ll get to know the initial female reformers, known as the suffragists, and how the suffragettes evolved from them. We’ll consider the reasons why civil misconduct became a tool of the suffragettes, explore how the violence began to escalate, and look at the plight of suffragettes who were imprisoned.

The fight for the vote wasn’t bound by class or gender. The course outlines the contribution made by working-class women to the development of women’s suffrage and the men who stepped up to support the cause. We’ll also look at how the fight for votes for women developed in the US.

Finally, the course takes a look at the main political party leaders and members of society who were opposed to giving women the vote, how the Great War helped the suffragettes’ cause by changing the roles of women in society, and the key moments and Acts passed in the lead up to full female suffrage in 1928.

By studying this course, you will:

• Gain insight into the British suffragette movement
• Become familiar with key women’s rights activists, suffragettes, and suffragette groups
• Become aware of the role socialists, trade unionists and working-class men and women had in the female suffrage movement
• Gain a greater understanding of the suffragettes’ militant tactics
• Learn about the key moments that led to women finally getting the vote