In past centuries, women were not seen as being equal to men. Power was usually held by men, although there had been some powerful women, for example Elizabeth I. During the nineteenth century, some positive changes to women's rights had been made, but they were still not allowed to vote in parliamentary elections. In 1868, the first meeting on women's suffrage (the right to vote) was held, followed by the first Women's Suffrage Bill in Parliament. The Bill was defeated in 1870. Almost 30 years later, the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies was formed to campaign peacefully. The... Show more

In past centuries, women were not seen as being equal to men. Power was usually held by men, although there had been some powerful women, for example Elizabeth I. During the nineteenth century, some positive changes to women's rights had been made, but they were still not allowed to vote in parliamentary elections.

In 1868, the first meeting on women's suffrage (the right to vote) was held, followed by the first Women's Suffrage Bill in Parliament. The Bill was defeated in 1870. Almost 30 years later, the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies was formed to campaign peacefully.

The Suffragettes were a group of women who believed that all adult women should have the right to vote.

This was the nickname given to the Women's Social Political Union by the press. The group was formed in 1903 and became more and more militant in their actions. They used a variety of methods to draw attention to their cause and many of them were imprisoned for public order offences. One of the Suffragettes, Emily Davidson, was trampled to death when she tried to hang a Suffragette banner on the King's racehorse at the Epsom Derby.

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