ndish acts. By 1914, the NUWSS had 500 local branches with over 100,000 members whereas the WSPU had only 2,000 members which 1,000 of them had been arrested at some point during their protests. (“WSPU”, NP)Imprisoned Suffragette Marion Dunlop started the Hunger Strikes in July of 1909 when she refused to eat. The suffragettes cried out that they were “Political Prisoners” therefore they thought that they should be treated different than criminal prisoners. They wanted special prison cells, they didn’t want to wear the prison uniforms and they wanted the freedom of association. Unfortunately the authorities didn’t consider them a political campaign and gave them no special treatment. This led to more hunger strikes, which led to the authorities giving force feedings. (Atkinson, Diane, NP) The Prisoner’s Temporary Discharge of ill Health act also known as the Cat and Mouse Act of 1913 stated that they were allowed to go on hunger strikes. When they became ill they were released until they recover, then they were re-arrested to finish their sentence.(“WSPU”, NP)On August 4, 1914, the British Government declared war on Germany. Millicent Fawcett declared that the NUWSS was suspending all political activity until the conflict was over. The WSPU negotiated with the British Government to release all the suffragettes from prison. In return, the WSPU agreed to end militant activities and help the war effort. (“NUWSS” & “WSPU”, NP)The WSPU received a 2,000-pound grant from the government, so they organized a demonstration in London. Members carried banners with slogans such as; “We demand the Right to Serve”, “For men must fight and women must work”, “ Let none be Kaiser’s cat ’s paw”. 30,000 People attended the demonstration. (“NUWSS” and “WSPU”, NP)During the war, women had to take over the jo...
