Timeline of Women's Suffrage in the British Empire

Following the precedent set by the abolitionist movement, Britain began the march to suffrage before the United States- however, Britain only passed a women's voting rights law two years before the U.S., and granted equal suffrage eight years later.

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Late 18th Century: As Britain begins to build its empire, new societal roles are introduced to the British Isles, namely the doctrine of Separate Spheres

1832: Mary Smith writes the first suffrage petition to her local Parliamentary representative, arguing that older unmarried women ought be able to have a say in Parliament's proceedings

1865: Although women's voting rights and citizenship had been a topic of discussion throughout the British empire for over a century, the first Ladies' Discussion Society was only formed in 1865.

1866: Parliament is presented with the first mass suffrage petition, which contains over 1,500 signatures in favor

1867: MP John Stuart Mill attempts to grant women who own property the right to vote by amending the Second Reform Bill, but his amendment is rejected

1870: The Married Women's Property Act grants married women financial freedom by making them legal property holders.

1880: Women's suffrage is passed on the Isle of Man

1894: Women recieve the right to vote in county and borough elections

1902: A petion with 37,000 signatures is presented to Parliament- most are women in the textile industry in Northern England

1907: 76 suffragettes are arrested attempting to storm the House of Parliament

1907: Women are granted legal permission to be elected onto county and borough councils and to run for mayor

1908: 250,000 people attend the Women's Sunday protest, but things quickly escalate to violent protest, with participants bricking storefronts and women tying themselves to posts. It was the largest political rally in London at the time.

1909: Marion Wallace Dunlop becomes the first British suffragette to go on hunger strike.

1910: The Conciliation Bill, which could provide rights to over a million women, is passed in the House of Commons but is not ratified. Over 300 suffragettes march on Parliament and are assaulted and brutalized by police in an event known as "Black Friday"

1911: In response to an antagonistic "manhood suffrage bill," many suffrage groups turn to violence and militancy, smashing storefronts and committing arson

1912: Another women's suffrage bill is introduced to Parliament, but is defeated by a margin of 14 votes. Later, the left-leaning Labor party becomes the first party to add women's suffrage to their manifesto

1913: In an attempt to raise suffrage awareness, Emily Wilding Davison steps onto the track at Epsom Derby and is trampled to death. Her funeral is attended by thousands

1913: In a display of peaceful protest, 50,000 attend the "Pilgrimage for Women's Suffrage Event

1914: Women's Suffrage movements are dampened by the outbreak of World War I

1916: Prime Minister H. H. Asquith, who had previously opposed suffrage, publically voices his support for the enfranchisement of women. That December, he steps down from his Prime Ministry

1918: The Representation of the People Bill is passed, which allows men over the age of 21 to vote. It also granted women the right to vote, however, that right is restricted to women over 30 who are married of registered. Later that year, women are granted the right to serve as MPs

1919: Nancy Astor becomes the first MP, serving in the House of Commons

1928: The Representation of the People Act sets the voting age for all citizens at 21; the first general election in which women have equal suffrage occurs in 1929.

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Sources:

British Library Learning. "Women's Suffrage Timeline." British Library, British Library, ____February 6, 2018, https://www.bl.uk/votes-for-women/articles/womens-suffrage-timeline