A Century of Female Revolution: From Peterloo to Parliament

by Glynis Cooper

Overview

1819-1919 was the most Remarkable Century in the history of womankind. In 1819 women had no rights, no status, no options no votes. Females were denied higher and further education. Job opportunities were menial and few. Legally, women were not even considered to be 'persons'. By 1919 they had achieved full legal rights and status; the doors of education, equality and professions had been thrown open to them; they had proved that they could do any job a man could do; and most importantly they had achieved universal suffrage. Appalling conditions suffered by those living and working in the textile industries of the North-West provided the impetus to demand democratic political reforms and a fair day's pay for a fair day's work. Women were not allowed to join official associations so they formed their own groups, seeing the main objective as achieving results for their menfolk, which would make life better for women in turn. Then they could concentrate on fighting for their own rights. The Peterloo Massacre in August 1819 was a day of bloody carnage during which females were singled out, hunted down and killed or injured to 'teach them a lesson'. It did teach them a lesson but not the one their attackers had intended. It gained them status and sympathy in the eyes of many and further encouraged them to fight for themselves as well as their men. Women became involved in reform groups, Chartism, trade unions, politics, education, career opportunities and the right to vote, although they encountered fierce hostility and opposition from both men and their own sex. Perseverance paid off. Women finally gained their equal opportunities, winning the right to vote as a reward for their major contribution to the Great War.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781526739216
Publisher:	Pen and Sword
Publication date:	12/11/2020
Pages:	176
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.25(h) x (d)

About the Author

Glynis Cooper's family has its roots in the industrial millscapes of Manchester. She was born in Stockport, but she grew up near Bury St Edmunds and subsequently spent ten years living and working in Cambridge before returning to Manchester. Her parents were writers who inspired her enthusiasm for the written word. Glynis, who loves islands and the open countryside, trained in the dual disciplines of librarianship and archaeology. She enjoys reading, researching and writing local histories, traveling, and playing chess.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements vi

Foreword ix

Preface xiv

Chapter 1 Background to Peterloo 1

Chapter 2 Female Reform Societies 8

Chapter 3 Prologue to Peterloo 22

Chapter 4 Peterloo 25

Chapter 5 Post Peterloo 39

Chapter 6 Repercussions of Peterloo and the Inquest on John Lees 48

Chapter 7 The Manchester Comet and the Situation of Women After Peterloo 52

Chapter 8 Electoral Reform … but Not for Women 57

Chapter 9 The First (Great) Reform Act 1832 60

Chapter 10 Chartism and the Women Who Supported it 63

Chapter 11 Political Changes 1830s - 1850s 68

Chapter 12 Female Suffrage 74

Chapter 13 Electoral Reform 1860-1867 80

Chapter 14 The Second Reform Act 1867 88

Chapter 15 The Third Reform Act 1884 90

Chapter 16 Peterloo Veterans 1884 … and Who was Mary Collins? 95

Chapter 17 Employment and Working Conditions for Women and Children After Peterloo 103

Chapter 18 Female Trade Unions 113

Chapter 19 Strikes Led by Women 118

Chapter 20 Suffragettes 124

Chapter 21 Parliament 138

Epilogue and The Bicentenary of Peterloo 2019 140

Appendix: Female Freedom Expressed in Fashion After the Victorian Era 147

Bibliography 153

Index 155