The beginnings of WSPU

The start of the 20th Century was a turbulent time in British politics. Women had been actively campaigning for suffrage (the right to vote) nearly half a century and many were beginning to feel that their calls were going unheeded. In October 1903, frustrated by this lack of progress and under the leadership of Emmeline Pankhurst and her three daughters, some members of the NUWSS decided that more direct action was required. The Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) was born. With a motto of 'Deeds not Words' it was clear from the start that times were about to get more interesting...
Emmeline had been politically active throughout her adult life, part of numerous suffrage organisations and also a founding member of the Manchester Independent Labour Party (Scott- Baumann,2002). Initially the WSPU’s efforts were directed solely toward getting motions passed at Independent Labour Party branches urging the leadership to take action (Irving, 2010), and on May 12 1905 after much lobbying they had managed to get a Private Members Bill before the Commons. However, being at the bottom of the order paper it was never heard.
Summer 1905 saw Lancashire mill worker Annie Kenney recruited after she heard Emmeline and Christabel Pankhurst addressing an ILP meeting on the subject of women's rights. Kenney soon became an active member of the group and on October 13 1905, Annie and Christabel attended a prominent Liberal Party meeting at the Free Trade Hall in Manchester. When their repeated question of “Will the Liberal Government give women the vote?” was ignored they strove more fiercely to be heard and were forcefully removed. During the struggle it is alleged that the women assaulted the police, and when outside the hall they still could not be silenced, they were arrested and taken to the Town Hall (Harrison, 2004).
This was the birth of the suffragettes' militant campaign lasting nine years. It included such acts as disruption of political meetings, threats to public order (including window breaking, attacks on politicians and railing chainings), hunger strikes and even attacks on property including churches and Westminster Abbey (Scott-Baumann, 2002). During this time the purple, white and green colours of the suffragettes, representing dignity, purity and hope became a familiar sight on the streets of central London.

Arrest of Suffragette (Fashion through history, 2014)