The members of the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) founded by Mrs. Pankhurst in 1904 were called Suffragettes. This was formed to fight for women’s right to vote and for equal status with men. The suffragettes at first, tried peaceful means, through speeches, pamphlets and demonstrations. Upon getting no attention from the parliament, they resorted to more extreme measures like breaking windows, burning empty houses and even chaining themselves to the railings of Hyde Park. However during the First World War in 1914, the suffragettes abandoned their campaign to actively support the war effort. These acts persuaded the government to allow women over thirty to vote in 1918, and later in 1928, women were given equal status with men, and could vote at the age of 21.
