Higher History 2014

Extended Response Questions

2x questions 20x marks 40x mins

Points to noteWhat does “valid” mean?= true

For example “Munich was an utter triumph for British foreign policy”. How valid is this view?

How true can we say this quote/statement is?

What will the questions be like?

• Extended responses WILL have either of the following stems:

To what extent……?How important……?

How successfully……?How effective…….?

“…….Statement/Quote……” How valid is this view?

Let’s look at some samples

• Introductions• Conclusions• Knowledge• Analysis• Analysis +• Evaluation

STEPHEN GREENSATH CONFERENCE 8 T H NOVEMBER 2014

EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY

To what extent was the militant Suffragette campaign the main reason why some women received the vote in 1918?

Throughout the 19th century more and more men were given the right to vote yet there was no sign of the right to vote in national elections being given to women. This gave rise to the women’s suffrage movements. Context/BackgroundTherefore it can be argued the militant Suffragette campaign was the main reason why women over 30 gained the vote in 1918. Line of Argument However, there are others factors which have to be considered such as the peaceful Suffragist movement, the contribution made by women in the Great War and changing social attitudes towards women. Other Factors/Signposting 

Emmeline Pankhurst established the Suffragettes (WSPU), in 1903 with the motto ‘Deeds Not Words”. The militant group were determined to gain media attention for their campaign, using methods such as chaining themselves to railings outside parliament and even arson attacks on houses that belonged to members of the government. Use of Knowledge This was important because it gained publicity for the WSPU. Despite breaking the law, the newspapers took notice and the Suffragettes had achieved their first objective – publicity. Analysis Even after being arrested Suffragettes would go on hunger strike in prison as a form of protest . Use of Knowledge However, the publicity was not always positive and it made it easier for women to be branded as unfit for the vote and therefore politicians used this argument as an example of why women could not be trusted with the vote before 1918. Analysis + Historical opinion suggests that the Suffragette cause pushed the Liberal Government, at the time, to discuss women's right to vote and without them it would not have been considered. Therefore it is clear the Suffragettes were very important in encouraging the right to vote. Although it should be remembered they did little to change Government opinion. Despite the fact the different suffrage organisations (WSPU/NUWSS) were looking to gain the same end result; votes for women, their differing methods and motives diluted their impact on gaining the vote. Evaluation

The main alternative to the Suffragettes was the Suffragists. Founded in the late 1800s the NUWSS had a very different approach to gaining the vote for women. Link The Suffragists believed in moderate, ‘peaceful’ tactics to win the vote such as meetings, pamphlets, petitions and parliamentary bills. Members would distribute leaflets, have meetings with members of government and ask people to sign petitions in order to gain support for the campaign. Use of Knowledge This was important because it led to some members of the government accepting the idea of women's suffrage. Analysis Although support for the Suffragists remained low initially, once the militant Suffragettes emerged many women joined the Suffragists as they strongly apposed the violent methods the Suffragettes used. Analysis + While the Suffragist campaign played an important role in maintaining support and interest in the campaign for Suffrage, it failed to deliver the vote for women before 1914. However, historical debate now suggests the contribution women made during the Great War, rather than any of the pre-1914 Suffrage movements, did in fact play a more important part in helping women gain the vote by 1918. Evaluation

     

In conclusion, there were many reasons why some women received the vote in 1918. On the one hand it is true to say that the Suffragette and Suffragist campaigns were paramount in some women gaining the vote in 1918, because women had pushed the accepted boundaries to gain suffrage. On the other hand the timing of the vote clearly demonstrates the role of the war, as women over 30 were given the vote in the same year the war ended as well as …….. (Balance) Overall, and most importantly, the role of women was changing in the 19th century, giving women a better and stronger place within society. Without this they may not have had the confidence to fight and win the vote. (Overall judgement)

Marks: Historical context 2/2

Conclusion 2/2Use of Knowledge 6/6

Analysis 6/6Evaluation 4/4