England enters WWI (1 jan 1914 ano – 9 jan 1918 ano)

Descrição:

Once WWI broke out, the WSPU suspended all militant acts in a show of patriotism. They took up jobs the soldiers left behind, jobs that were previously unheard of for women to be doing, but it showed the public that they could provide stability for the country and they "had shown themselves capable of taking part in Civil Service work, industrial workIand thus shown their fitness and their right to further responsibility." The government acknowledged the civil service work the women did, but they were also afraid the militancy would resume after the war ended. Lord Crewe, a supporter of suffrage, "’warned the House that if the vote was refused to women the old violent atmosphere … would return.’" With the WSPU’s contributions to the war effort, they were “‘seen and appreciated’... [and] instead of being insulted for wanting to take part in government, women were praised for being patriotic.”