90th Anniversary Of Women's Right To Vote

The Guardian has a collection of photos to mark the 90th anniversary of the suffragette movement. What's striking about the suffragette movement, especially the WSPU, is the degree of direct action, especially violent direct action against property. Among their tactics: breaking the windows of government buildings (including Downing Street); trying to enter the House of Commons; throwing themselves under horses; slashing paintings with meat-cleavers; hunger strikes; and attempted arson against cricket pavilions, racecourse stands and golf clubhouses. By the summer of 1914, over 1,000 suffragettes had been imprisoned for destroying public property. The Representation of the People Act 1918 gave women over the age of 30 (who owned property) the right to vote. It took until 1928 for all women to have the vote.