Suffragettes refused to eat and often drink while imprisoned, threatening to starve themselves to force a response from the authorities. This ultimate form of prison protest did not, however, originate from WSPU headquarters but rather was initially the lone action of the Suffragette, Marion Wallace Dunlop.

Did suffragettes starve themselves?

Suffragettes in British prisons refused to eat, and often to drink, threatening to starve themselves to force a response from the authorities. Here are six key facts about this extraordinary struggle.

When did suffragette force-feeding start?

1909





From 1909, imprisoned suffragettes demanding to be treated as political prisoners began to refuse food. The State’s response was force-feeding. As described by Emily, a prison doctor would insert a tube into the woman’s mouth, force it down her oesophagus and pour liquidised food into the woman.

How did they force feed the suffragettes?

Force-feeding of suffragettes



The women were held down on a bed or tied to a chair and tipped back. A tube was then forced into their nose or down their throat and into the stomach. In the latter method, a steel gag was put in the mouth and screwed open as wide as possible.

How long did the suffragette hunger strike last?

91 hours



Her strike lasted 91 hours, ending only because the prison released her to avoid her death. Although the hunger strike was Wallace Dunlop’s idea and she did it without informing the leadership of the WSPU, many others quickly imitated her.

Did they force feed suffragettes?

Hunger strikes were carried out by imprisoned suffragettes because they were not given the status of political prisoners. Prisons responded by force feeding suffragettes on hunger strike. Winson Green prison in Birmingham was one of the first prisons in the country to practise force feeding on suffragettes.



What violent things did the suffragettes do?

From 1905 onwards the Suffragettes’ campaign became more violent. Their motto was ‘Deeds Not Words’ and they began using more aggressive tactics to get people to listen. This included breaking windows, planting bombs, handcuffing themselves to railings and going on hunger strikes.

What happens if you force feed a baby?

While a child may eat a little more when being coerced, the act of being pressured into eating can lead to the development of negative associations with the food, and ultimately dislike and avoidance.

Who was the youngest suffragette?

bagpiping Bessie Watson



The youngest suffragette, bagpiping Bessie Watson, has been commemorated by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. Bessie joined the suffragette movement aged just nine, playing the bagpipes across the country on marches campaigning for equality and the right for women to vote.

Did suffragettes wear red lipstick?

“The first and most famous manifestation of red lipstick was in fact in New York when the suffragettes took to the streets, banded together, and as part of their defiance and fight for the vote, they all wore bright red lipstick,” explains Marsh.

What 2 methods did the suffragettes use?

They lobbied politicians, staged demonstrations, marches and petitions and campaigned to get the support of the public for the cause. In 1903, Emmeline and Christabel Pankhurst formed the Women’s Social and Political Union.

How many times did the suffragettes go to jail?

From the start of the 20th century to the beginning of World War One, almost 1,000 suffragettes were imprisoned. Emmeline Pankhurst went to jail three times. The imprisoned women were angry that they were being treated as criminals for demanding their rights.

What were the peaceful suffragettes called?



Suffragists. Those involved in the first wave of the campaign for women’s votes are known as suffragists. Suffragists believed in peaceful, constitutional campaign methods.

Was Emmeline Pankhurst force-fed?

It became known for physical confrontations: its members smashed windows and assaulted police officers. Pankhurst, her daughters, and other WSPU activists received repeated prison sentences, where they staged hunger strikes to secure better conditions, and were often force-fed.

Did the suffragettes do more harm than good?

It can be seen that the suffragettes used extreme amount of violence to gain the public light, which at times seemed unnecessary. This eventually made the government build up resilience towards it. The more aggression they used against the politicians, the more testing it would be to gain the vote from them.

How many times did the suffragettes go to jail?

From the start of the 20th century to the beginning of World War One, almost 1,000 suffragettes were imprisoned. Emmeline Pankhurst went to jail three times. The imprisoned women were angry that they were being treated as criminals for demanding their rights.

Why did the suffragists go on hunger strike?

In both Great Britain and North America, the immediate motivation for suffragists to embark on hunger strikes was the demand to be considered a political prisoner. Political prisoners had more rights than other prisoners and were not considered merely criminals.

Are suffragists peaceful?



Suffragists believed in peaceful, constitutional campaign methods. In the early 20th century, after the suffragists failed to make significant progress, a new generation of activists emerged. These women became known as the suffragettes, and they were willing to take direct, militant action for the cause.

Why did suffragists wear yellow roses?

In the early 1900s, the women’s suffrage movement used yellow roses to show support for women’s right to vote while anti-suffragists donned red roses to show their opposition to the movement. KNOXVILLE, Tenn.