Women's right to vote
Study note
For a long time women in Britain were not allowed to vote. Women who campaigned for the right to vote were known as suffragettes, and they used protests and other forms of civil disobedience to press their case. They are not to be confused with other historical groups such as the Cavaliers, Roundheads or Jacobites.
Their campaign brought results in stages. From 1918, some women were able to vote for the first time. Then in 1928 women won the right to vote at the same age as men, which at the time was 21. So the key date to remember is 1928, when women gained equal voting rights with men. Be careful with similar-looking dates such as 1818, which is wrong; the correct year for equal voting age is 1928.
Memory tip: 1918 some women vote; 1928 equal voting age with men.
Practise this topic
Question 1 of 3
In which year did women in the UK get the right to vote at the same age as men?
Show all questions and answers for Women's right to vote(3 questions with explanations)
Women's right to vote: questions, answers and explanations
1. In which year did women in the UK get the right to vote at the same age as men?
- 1928
- 1815
- 1066
- 1948
Correct answer: 1928
In 1928 women won the right to vote at the same age as men (21).
2. What were the women who campaigned for the right to vote called?
- Jacobites
- Cavaliers
- Roundheads
- Suffragettes
Correct answer: Suffragettes
Campaigners for women's votes were known as suffragettes.
3. Which of these statements is correct?
- In 1928 women won the right to vote at the same age as men
- In 1818 women won the right to vote at the same age as men
Correct answer: In 1928 women won the right to vote at the same age as men
Women won the vote at the same age as men in 1928.
Back to A Long and Illustrious History, or try a mock test or timed exam.