How far does sources C and D support what Emmeline Pankhurst is saying in Source B?
The view of Pankhurst in Source B is that both women and men are needed, and are equally important in ensuring international peace. Source B says “We believe that under the joint rule of enfranchised women and men, the nations of the world will…find a way of reconciling the claims of peace and honour”. Source C also expresses a similar view, “You must remember that if the men fight, the women are the mothers. Without the mothers you have no nation to defend”. Both sources express the view that the war cannot be resolved without the help of women, as they have a key role to play for the nation, thus encouraging the government to allow women to take part in the war. On the outbreak of war women were not allowed to take part, Emmeline Pankhurst urges the government to reconsider the position and role of women by stressing the importance of women in regards to the nation. Therefore source C does support the views of Source B, both genders have joint importance.
Source B also stresses the importance of women joining the war effort, “future task of women, only they can perform it”. Source D also shares this view as it calls for women to join the war effort, “Women must help to save it,” it does not intend to encourage men to join, it is specifically targeted at women. Both the sources express the importance of women showing patriotism, emphasising the importance of solely women. Source B believes that the nation will find ways to claim peace and honour through “Women’s influence and authority”, it does not speak of men’s influence or authority, it also highlights the great patriotism shown by the WSPU and women, “we ardently desire that our country should be victorious”, but in order to do so, “Women must help to save it”. Source D clearly strengthens and calls for the views expressed by Source B.
Source B expresses the importance of solely women whilst Source C speaks of men and women in co-operation. Source B says “the nations of the world will owing to women’s influence and authority find a way of reconciling the claims of peace”, whilst Source C says “It simply means that men and women in co-operation decide the task, which in the interests of the whole, it is most necessary that they shall do.” Source B believes that only women can prevent another war occurring “It will be the future task of women, and only they can perform it” through their authority and influence, yet in Source C Pankhurst yet emphasises the importance of “politically equality”. This portrays a differing view between both sources; Source C does not have a similar view expressed in Source B.
Source B and Source express two different intentions in their views, Source B says “under the joint rule of enfranchised women and men”, thus stressing the importance of “enfranchised” women, and strengthens the call for the vote. Whilst Source D is stressing the current situation and encouraging women to join the war effort, “The situation is serious, women must help save it”, it does not relate in any way to women receiving the vote. This shows that Source D has a different intention and view compared to Source B.
Source B is a very patriotic piece of writing by Emmeline Pankhurst, encouraging the government to let women join the war effort. She highlights the importance of female war effort and relates the enfranchisement to the solution of the war, and the prevention of many wars to come. She however, only represents some women’s views, as the leader of the WSPU and suffragettes; she does not represent the views of working class women, or suffragists. Therefore this source cannot be trusted or be taken and used holistically.
Source C is rallying support, encouraging women to join the cause. She expresses great patriotism, however it may not be appreciated and shared by all the women at the time. Again, this source cannot be trusted. Source D shows the march to generate support for the government, however it was paid for by Lloyd George and organised by Emmeline Pankhurst, it again does not reflect the views of all women, and does not help encourage enfranchisement for women.
In conclusion Source B is thoroughly supported by Sources C and D in encouraging the war effort from most women; it changed the attitudes of many suffragists and inspired many suffragettes. On the whole it did encourage both the war effort from the women, and the intent to receive the vote afterwards.