What was the Women’s Social Political Union, how was Emmeline Pankhurst involved and who else was a member of WSPU?
THE Women's Social Political Union was the revolutionary group which fought for women's right to vote.
Here we look at its founder, the fearless Emmeline Pankhurst, and what the group stood for.
What was the Women's Social Political Union?
The Women's Social Political Union (WSPU) was a militant group which campaigned for women's suffrage in the UK between 1913 and 1917.
It was well known for staging hunger strikes, breaking windows of prominent buildings and setting unoccupied houses and churches on fire at night.
Thanks largely to them, Parliament passed the 1918 Representation of the People Act allowed women who were householders over the age of 30 the right to vote.
However, it was not until 1928's Equal Franchise Act that all women aged over 21 were allowed to vote - a right already given to men.
What was the suffragette movement?
Suffragettes violently campaigned for the female right to vote as early as the late 18th century.
After 50 years had passed and no sign of change, Pankhurst suggested drastic action was needed in order to secure their right.
WSPU members were determined to obtain the right to vote for women by violent means.
But there were also moderate women's groups who campaigned for the right to vote in a more peaceful manner, known as suffragists.
How was Emmeline Pankhurst involved in the WSPU?
Emmeline Pankhurst was the leader of the British suffragette movement and pivotal in securing women's right to vote.
Born in Moss Side, Manchester in 1858 to politically active parents, she founded the WSPU.
She married barrister Richard Pankhurst, who was well known for supporting women’s rights, in 1879.
In 1889, Emmeline founded the Women’s Franchise League which fought to allow married women to vote in local elections.
And 14 years later, in 1903 she began the WSPU, a more militant organisation that gained notoriety for its activities.
The WSPU was christened the "suffragettes" and Emmeline was arrested on numerous occasions while fighting for women's rights.
Like many other suffragettes, she went on hunger strike - resulting in violent force-feeding.
Emmeline died aged 69 on June 14, 1928 - shortly after women were granted equal voting rights with men (at 21).
Who else was a member of the WSPU?
Emily Davison was a suffragette who dedicated her life to fighting for women's rights.
She was noted for her dedication to Emmeline's motto 'Deeds not Words' as it essentially led to her death.
On 4 June 1913, the south-east London born campaigner was knocked down by the King's horse at Epsom Derby, and died by her injuries four days later.
See what's making the headlines at home
Davison was born in 1872, but moved to her family home in Longhorsely, after her father died in 1893.
In 1906 she signed up to join the women's suffrage movement, Emmeline WSPU group, as she often adopted radical methods to promote her own personal messages.
Her death is long seen as an iconic image that encapsulates women's struggle to gain the right to vote.