Author: chm00318

Due to the current climate there have been several issues in regards to choosing my dissertation topic. Keeping in mind that I would have limited resources and these would be restricted to online materials this has been at the forefront of my mind whilst picking a topic. In addition, the restrictions put in place with regards to library access has prevented a private place of study that is required for high quality learning. This brings forward the obstacle of everyday home life which can often cause obstructions.

 

In order to overcome these obstacles i have been using a variety of the university’s materials and kept to jstor as well as online archives in order to gain as much primary insight as possible. As well as the issue of at home struggles this was dealt by with a strict routine and a private learning space.

 

As the pandemic has changed the course itself this has forced the way i approach university in a whole other light. However, in another way it has made the subject of the dissertation easier to narrow down as again i was limited more due to not being able to physically access materials. This has also allowed me to strip back the dissertation topic choices previously outlined.

 

As a whole I believe that the module has been very useful in creating the starting steps towards my final dissertation. Prior to this module the thought of starting a dissertation seemed very daunting and there was a certain type of restriction in the way in which this would have started. However this module has given me the opportunity to see the dissertation stripped back as a whole and has allowed me to take time to decided on the topic of choice and given that this module is a year before the final dissertation is due I have the chance to use the time given well.

 

For my dissertation I plan on researching women within politics in the 19^th century, I have yet to decide the particular area I will be focusing on however I intend to explore women’s suffrage along-side women in politics before 1914.

Primary source’s

Anti- Suffrage badge, 1910-1918

https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/C_1984-0558-1

The above source was taken from the British museum and can be seen as a badge of honour worn to those who opposed the suffragette campaign, this can be seen as an effective source as it highlights the way in which you were praised to supress the act for women’s political change.

Notes of the Week, Sunday,  July 16, 1865, London, England

\https://go-gale-com.ezproxy-s1.stir.ac.uk/ps/retrieve.do?tabID=Newspapers&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&searchResultsType=SingleTab&hitCount=253&searchType=BasicSearchForm&currentPosition=1&docId=GALE%7CFP1801190206&docType=Article&sort=Pub+Date+Forward+Chron&contentSegment=ZSUN-MOD1&prodId=STHA&pageNum=1&contentSet=GALE%7CFP1801190206&searchId=R9&userGroupName=unistirl&inPS=true

The above source can be seen to showcase the beginnings of discussion of both men and women having the opportunity to vote, however this was not immediate action it can be seen as a point to begin developing further.

https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw233665/Suffragettes-After-the-fight-four-unknown-women-and-three-unknown-Policemen

Suffragettes ‘After the fight’ (four unknown women and three unknown Policemen) by Central Press vintage print, circa 1914

The above primary source was taken from the national portrait gallery. This can be seen as a useful source as it highlights the ways in which the women’s suffragette movement encouraged many women fight for a worthy cause.

Secondary sources

Julia Bush (2002) British women’s anti-suffragism and the forward policy, 1908-14, Women’s History Review, 11:3, 431-454

In this article it focuses on the female leaders that were opposed to the      women’s suffrage campaign, these women in which fought and contributed to the war efforts and were committed to social action against the suffragettes. This can be seen as useful as it provides a different perspective on women during this period of time and can be seen to show the controversy between women.

The Men’s Share? Masculinities, Male Support and Women’s Suffrage in Britain, 1890-1920 Claire Eustance, Prof Angela V John, Angela V. John 1997

This book shares the insights to the men behind the women, those who supported the change of women’s rights and the way in which they used their own power to take charge and pressure the government to enact change, focusing specifically on the men in which fought for change. As it is often seen women were at the frontline of women’s suffrage in the 19^th century this can be seen as a useful insight into the men who stood by and broke through this change.

The March of the Women: A revisionist Analysis of the Campaign for Women’s Suffrage, 1866-1914, Martin Pugh, 2002

This book takes a different approach in regard to women’s suffrage and instead analysis the fact that women had won the argument for universal suffrage by 1900, this can be seen as the author draws towards the inadequate attempts of those who were anti-suffragist. This source also focuses on the support that the suffragists gathered support from the working class and the labour party.