“The militancy of men, through all the centuries, has drenched the world with blood, and for these deeds of horror and destruction men have been rewarded with monuments, with great songs and epics. The militancy of women has harmed no human life save the lives of those who fought the battle of righteousness. Time alone will reveal what reward will be allotted to the women.” -Emmeline Pankhurst, My Own Story
The suffrage movement in England originally was an entirely peaceful movement. Prior to the formation of the WSPU and the streamlining of suffrage, actions to progress equality was scattered across the country, with women attempting to make headway individually. These women advocated for women’s rights by teaming up with political parties; promoting candidates, working at elections, supporting beliefs, in the hope that in return those officials would add their movement to their candidacy platforms. While the men were completely willing to accept the help and keep women in a subservient position, they repaid those women with empty promises and no actual change.
Years prior to the formation of the WSPU and its militancy, there was a farm laborer movement to advocate for voting rights for those men. While this movement is completely separate from suffrage, the tactics used by those farm laborers had an important lesson. While women were still sticking with the line that one must work for rights rather than fighting for those rights, those men fought hard. They had won their votes by utilizing arson, rioting, and large demonstrations that caught the attention of politicians. Without those actions, it is certain that their fight for their rights would have lasted quite a while longer and might have not even come to fruition.
Even before the women took on a (violent) militant role, others, especially powerful men and the police enacted violence against female bodies. During government meetings, women would come in requesting to speak about voting rights. Men would react vehemently, screaming, threatening those women, scratching them, attempting to strike them, and then forcefully removing them from the hall. Police would see demonstrations and without cause, would push the protestors to the ground, berate and abuse them, and then arrest them on fraudulent or frivolous charges. When those protestors were placed in prison, they suffered from extremely poor conditions. It was not uncommon for women to be harmed unjustly during this era.
The actual start of militancy for the suffragettes began in 1905, when the WSPU adopted the motto “deeds, not words.” The start of their militancy was not physical reactions, bur rather civil disobedience and demonstrations. This is involved in the militancy of the WSPU but it is not what they are most known for. When one hears the word “militancy,” often what is immediately pictured involves damage to property and violence against others. The WSPU did take on the former, while refusing to partake in the latter. That form of militancy is what is envisioned when speaking of militant feminists.
There were a few isolated incidents of damage to property done prior to the official decision on behalf of the WSPU to adopt the tactic to damage property as a part of their militancy. Those who committed these actions acted independently. When these women were arrested, they assured authorities they acted on their own behalf and not according to directions from the WSPU. According to Emmeline Pankhurst in My Own Story, two women-Mrs. Mary Leigh and Miss Edith New, were some of those individuals who damaged properties. They threw rocks through windows and were quickly arrested. When Pankhurst visited these women in prison, rather than condemning them for their actions, she applauded them for their actions.
The initial start to militancy for the WSPU was a result of a Parliament meeting. There was speak of potentially creating a motion for women’s rights, which was met with roaring laughter from members of Parliament. Outside of the building, there was a large demonstration, all of whom showed up to encourage members to think seriously about women’s rights. When word came out that members were actually laughing about their cause, the women outside were rightfully indignant. Across the entirety of the crowd, tempers were rising. Police noted this and even though there were no violent actions occurring, the police responded by shoving the women to the ground and demanding that they disperse. It was all too common for police to react violently with no cause against the suffragettes. These women continued to protest even with the knowledge that they had a high chance of being imprisoned as a result. Pankhurst notes that “…hundreds of women were arrested…before it ever occurred to any of us to destroy property.” In fact, over 1000 women had been imprisoned before the official start of militancy even occurred.
The militancy began in 1906 after the determination that other tactics were not going to work and has never been able to progress their agenda.The women after the start of militancy did not ever aim to harm another human, but rather damage property to raise awareness for their cause. After decades of peace and no progression, the women banded together, centered the movement in London and began their militancy. Though the WSPU was centralized in London, its members spanned the nation of England. The WSPU led the suffragettes into a new era of the fight for civil rights.
The WSPU used several different militant tactics, including property damage, purposefully being arrested, and taunting politicians especially from the years of 1906-1910. Property damage attacks pertained to both public and private property, including window-smashing, arson, and even bombing. The militancy used was more of a strategic measure rather than an emotional reaction, which some would attribute to the feminization of this cause. This quickly drew even more attention to their cause and made a central point of discussion in politics. Government officials continued advising the women to act “properly” and follow instructions to further their agenda rather than this new tactic. The women responded by saying they followed their directions for half a century to no avail, now was the time to begin anew. Pankhurst wrote:
“Women had always fought for men, and for their children. Now they were ready to fight for their own human rights. Our militant movement was established.” -Emmeline Pankhurst, My Own Story