Struggle and Suffrage in Glasgow: A Journey Through the Fight for Women's Rights

Struggle and Suffrage in Glasgow: Women's Lives and the Fight for Equality

by Susan Ware

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	6635 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	145 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE

Glasgow, a city known for its industrial prowess and its vibrant cultural scene, also played a pivotal role in the women's suffrage movement. From the establishment of women's suffrage societies in the city as early as the 1860s to the militant campaigns of the suffragettes, Glasgow women were at the forefront of the fight for the right to vote.

This article delves into the struggles and triumphs of the women who fought for the right to vote in Glasgow. We'll explore the key figures, organizations, and events that shaped the movement in the city, and we'll examine the impact of the suffragettes' actions on the wider women's rights movement in Scotland and beyond.

The Early Years

The women's suffrage movement in Glasgow began in the mid-19th century, with the establishment of the Glasgow Women's Suffrage Society in 1867. The society was founded by a group of middle-class women, including Helen Crawfurd, who would go on to become a prominent figure in the national suffrage movement.

The early suffragists in Glasgow faced an uphill battle. The prevailing view at the time was that women were not capable of exercising the vote, and they were often dismissed as hysterical or irrational. Despite these challenges, the suffragists continued to campaign for their cause, organizing meetings and distributing literature to raise awareness of their demands.

The Rise of the Suffragettes

In the early 1900s, a more militant wing of the women's suffrage movement emerged, known as the suffragettes. The suffragettes were determined to use more aggressive tactics to achieve their goals, including civil disobedience, property damage, and hunger strikes.

The suffragettes in Glasgow were led by a group of working-class women, including Mary Barbour, Agnes Dollan, and Margaret Kidd. These women were inspired by the example of the suffragettes in England, and they were determined to bring the same level of militancy to the Scottish campaign.

One of the most famous suffragette actions in Glasgow was the "Glasgow rent strike" of 1915. In protest against the government's failure to give women the vote, suffragettes in Glasgow encouraged women to withhold their rent payments. The rent strike was a huge success, and it helped to bring the issue of women's suffrage to the forefront of public debate.

The Impact of the Suffragettes

The actions of the suffragettes in Glasgow had a significant impact on the wider women's rights movement in Scotland and beyond. The suffragettes' militancy helped to raise awareness of the issue of women's suffrage, and it put pressure on the government to act.

In 1918, the Representation of the People Act was passed, giving women over the age of 30 the right to vote. This was a major victory for the suffragettes, and it marked a turning point in the history of women's rights in the United Kingdom.

The women who fought for the right to vote in Glasgow faced many challenges, but they never gave up on their cause. Their determination and militancy helped to achieve a major victory for women's rights, and their legacy continues to inspire women today.

The struggle for women's rights is an ongoing one, and there is still much work to be done. However, the suffragettes of Glasgow have shown us that even the most difficult battles can be won with determination and perseverance.

Further Reading

* Women's Suffrage in Glasgow * The Struggle for the Vote * Glasgow rent strike: When women stood up to their landlords

Struggle and Suffrage in Glasgow: Women's Lives and the Fight for Equality

by Susan Ware

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	6635 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	145 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE