Naumenkova E.O.

 

Feminization of politics: appearance of women’s political organizations and female participation in canvassing in the 1880s and 1890s in Great Britain. Pp. 57–67.

UDC 94(47).083

DOI 10.37724/RSU.2025.89.4.006

 

Abstract. The purpose of this article is to analyze the formation and development of conservative and liberal women’s organizations in Great Britain in late 19th century, as well as women’s participation in canvassing. It concludes that the reform of the electoral system — the expansion of the electorate and the improvement of anti-corruption legislation in the second half of the 19th century — forced political leaders of both parties to involve women in election campaigns. The article analyzes the reasons that motivated women to work for parties for free, as well as the methods used by women in the fight for votes. It reveals that some women working for the party hoped to prove to men their political adequacy and subsequently obtain voting rights. For some, the main goal was to help their male relatives win an election and enter parliament. In the latter case, political leaders viewed women’s activities in canvassing as a continuation of the roles of wives and mothers helping men. We note that active work in party organizations and election campaigns contributed to the strengthening of women’s political influence. The study is based on a wide range of sources, including periodicals, journalism, memoirs, and memoirs of contemporaries.

 

Keywords: women’s movement, liberal party, canvassing, the Conservative party, suffragism, emancipation, women’s political organizations.

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