Opinions of Women on Women’s Suffrage.

$750.00

Item Number: 135724

London: Central Committee of the National Society For Women's Suffrage, 1879.

First edition of this collection of Opinions on Women’s Suffrage, compiled by the Central Committee of the National Society For Women’s Suffrage and containing the opinions of English women in official positions, scientific and political careers, and principals of colleges and high schools among others. Octavo, disbound. In very good condition.

In 1872, the fight for women’s suffrage became a national movement in England with the formation of the National Society for Women’s Suffrage and later the more influential National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies (NUWSS). In addition to England, women’s suffrage movements in Wales, Scotland and other parts of the United Kingdom gained momentum. By 1906, the movements had begun to shift popular sentiments and a militant campaign began with the formation of the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU). Known as the suffragettes, its membership and policies were tightly controlled by Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters Christabel and Sylvia (although Sylvia was eventually expelled). The WSPU membership became known for civil disobedience and direct action. It heckled politicians, held demonstrations and marches, broke the law to force arrests, broke windows in prominent buildings, set fire to post boxes, committed night-time arson of unoccupied houses and churches, and—when imprisoned—went on hunger strike and endured force-feeding.