the+WSPU

__WSPU__ The WSPU otherwise known as the Woman's social and Political Union was founded in 1903 by Emmeline, Christabel and Slyvia Pankhurst. The WSPU was the first organisation to form a local group. Whenever possible members were to wear the three colours of the Union: purple, white and green to show their support for the Cause. Purple stood for dignity, white for purity and green for hope for the future. For three years the WSPU did valuable propaganda work in the cotton towns of the North of England. Their plans soon turned into direct action which consisted of politicians being questioned and interrupted, and MPs challenged and ridiculed during by-election campaigns. ‘Deeds not words’ was the WSPU’s slogan and new style for the 20 th century struggle. Despite the differences in policy and style, the two organizations (the WSPU and the NUWSS) worked well together, at least in the early years. Mrs. Fawcett, President of the NUWSS, even praised the bold tactics and courage of the WSPU.

They did many things to protest such as window smashing and banners but one of the more serious protest was the hunger strike. They refused all food untill they were given political status. The authorities didn’t want starving, dying women on their hands and at first they released the women who tried to use this tactic in an attempt to stop the creation of martyrs. A few months later however, force-feeding was introduced. In 1913, as a result of public opinion, the government decided to stop force-feeding the suffragettes. Instead they released the starving women from prison and then re-arrested them as soon as they were fit. This Prisoner’s Temporary Discharge for Ill Health Act was nicknamed ‘The Cat and Mouse Act’ by the WSPU because it reminded people of a cat playing with a mouse. Prison became a new battle ground in the fights for women.

20th August 1907

__Suffragette Memorial__

The memorial for the famous suffragette meeting outside Caxton Hall.