Loyola University Chicago - HIST 102Why We Are Militant Review Thi Tran

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Thi Tran Dr. Marek Suszko HIST 102 30 August 2012 “Why We Are Militant” Review In the late 19th century, Emmeline Pankhurst directed the Women’s Suffrage Movement in Great Britain. In a ti... me where there were many reforms and debates in the Parliament and many changes in politics and society, changes in the voting system played in favor for men whereas women banned from having any political power. The issue of gender inequality persisted and near to a high point. The British Parliament was unable to resolve issue and that sparked violence in the Women’s Suffrage Movement. Emmeline Pankhurst, alongside with her daughters established the Women’s Social and Political Union in order to gain instant suffrage. Because progress never happened and the lack of response from the Parliament, the suffrage movement developed new approach that consists of more active, militant tactics. Due to the long and constant intolerance, Pankhurst, in her speech, “Why We Are Militant,” believed that it is justifiable for women to reach the goals of women’s franchise by being militant. In her speech, Pankhurst states that, “Men got the vote because they were and would be violent.”1 She insisted that during the times of revolution, men followed to win their rights in gaining suffrage and because of that, why are women, who are “human beings like yourselves” 2 not permitted in having any political role in society. The thought of patience for these women is unbearable because by waiting and entrusting to the evolutionary changes means those women will continue to be silenced and oppressed. Pankhurst reveals that “patience is something akin to crime when our patience involves continued suffering on the part of the oppressed.”3 Without the right to vote, women are not able 1 Pankhurst 207 2 Pankhurst 207 [Show More]

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