Research Paper Proposal Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 2

Paper - Research Proposal Example The 1890s also saw an increase in the numbers of single women. Free from the normal responsibilities that society placed on adult women, the single women had the opportunity to pursue education or find other ways of improving their own lives. They would inevitably embrace the cause of feminism. The eventual success and spread of feminist ideals at the turn of the 20th century in Britain happened in spite of feminism organizations, and not because of them. This is because there were significant social class issues within the organizations that constantly threatened to undo the work that they accomplished. At the turn of the 20th century, women who believed in feminist principles could be found across all social classes in Britain. Women, as a group, were discriminated against on the basis of their gender in different respects, and so would support any efforts to improve their lot. However, not all of them publicly proclaimed their support of the suffragettes, as British Feminists referred to themselves. Vocal feminists were a minority in all social classes. The working class feminists were more vocal than those in other classes because they combined feminist objectives with trade-unionism, and so had a larger platform on which to address the need to recognise women rights. One of the most famous feminists of this period was Emmeline Pankhurst, who was from the middle class. In 1903, Mrs. Pankhurst formed the Womens Social and Political Union (WSPU) whose members would engage in public demonstrations which drew the nation’s attention. In 1897, Millicent Fawcett, another feminist, had launched the National Union of Women Suffragists. Millicent Fawcett was from a more privileged background than Emmeline Pankhurst, and supposedly looked upon her rival with contempt. However, it would be Mrs. Pankhurst’s efforts on behalf of women that would be