Why Did the Campaign for Women's Suffrage Develop

In the 19th century, society was very sexist and men had higher priority, worth and roles in everyday life. Women were only expected or allowed to do certain things, however these varied depending on whether they were upper, middle or working class. An upper class or middle class woman’s main role would be to support her husband- anything she may want from life would come second. Alternatively, if you were a working class woman the circumstances would be very different. Working class women were responsible for running the home, raising a family and having paid employment. Women were discriminated in many ways in daily life outside the home as well. They were expected to keep opinions to themselves and stay quiet. Furthermore, in everyday life, women were not considered intelligent enough to discuss issues such as politics with men even husbands.
Situations like this lead to many protests due to frustration and anger over the discrimination between the sexes. Furthermore, as other groups that were discriminated against gained more equal civil rights it helped women to realise that they too deserved fair and equal rights to men. The life women lead in the 19th century as a whole is considered shockingly discriminatory in our modern world today. It is incredible how women – who were expected to keep quiet in a sexist society; spoke out so strongly in their protests for rights that they deserved not just for themselves but for future generations.
One of the main rights women fought for was the right to vote, this meant a lot to all of the women fighting for rights, This was because, in the 19th century, women were classed with criminals and those with mental illness or disabilities as ‘unworthy’ to vote. It was believed they wouldn’t understand something as intellectual as politics even though it should have been their right as civilians to help choose who may help run their nation. Furthermore, the ability to vote will have helped to validate women in society and...