This chapter has highlighted some the fundamental ways in which women were treated unequally to men, and why there was a need for reform of women’s rights. Early feminists such as Isabella Tod campaigned to allow women greater access to education and control of their own property, while other women set up groups like the Irish Women’s Franchise League to win female suffrage.
The Local Government Act of 1898 gave some women the right to vote and stand in local elections, but the right to take part in general elections remained elusive for another two decades. The suffrage movement radicalised many women. Some, like Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington, Maud Gonne, Delia Larkin and others, played a significant role in national life. Just as Irish politics was divided on national issues, women also formed themselves into unionist and nationalist organisations during this period.
QUESTIONS
REVISION 1. What discrimination did women face in society in the early 20th century?
2. What successes did Isabella Tod have in securing greater freedoms for women? 3. Who were the suffragettes? 4. What impact did the Local Government Act have on women’s involvement in politics? 5. Who were Inghinidhe na hÉireann? 6. Briefly describe Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington’s involvement in the campaign for women’s rights. 7. What role did women play during the 1913 Lockout? 8. How did unionist women demonstrate their opposition to Home Rule? 9. What effect did World War I have on the suffrage movement?
10. What was the significance of the Representation of the People Act, 1918?
HIGHER LEVEL 1. What progress was made in women’s rights during the period 1870–1914?
2. What did you learn about the history of women from your study of one or more of the following: the suffrage movement; Isabella Tod; Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington? (2012)
3. How did the suffrage movement contribute to the role of women in society? 4. What contribution did women make to Irish society during the period 1870–1914?
ORDINARY LEVEL 1. How did Isabella Tod and/or Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington seek improvements for women? (2013) 2. Write a short paragraph on women’s suffrage.
3. What is feminism and why did several feminist movements emerge in the late 19th and early 20th centuries?
