The Suffragette Bombers: Britain's Forgotten Terrorists

by Simon Webb

In the years leading up to the First World War, the United Kingdom was subjected to a ferocious campaign of bombing and arson. Those conducting this terrorist offensive were members of the Women's Social and Political Union; better known as the suffragettes. The targets for their attacks ranged from St Paul's Cathedral and the Bank of England in London to theatres and churches in Ireland. The violence, which included several attempted assassinations, culminated in June 1914 with an explosion in Westminster Abbey.Simon Webb explores the way in which the suffragette bombers have been airbrushed from history, leaving us with a distorted view of the struggle for female suffrage. Not only were the suffragettes far more aggressive than is generally known, but there exists the very real and surprising possibility that their militant activities actually delayed, rather than hastened, the granting of the parliamentary vote to British women.

Genres: History, British Literature, Nonfiction, Historical, Feminism

251 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 2, 2014

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The suffragettes (as distinct from suffragists) actually led Britain's first terrorist campaign. Areal you shocked? I was shocked, but Simon Webb presents such a good argument for this that there is really no doubting it. He dispels the myth that they were a harmless group who threw rocks at a few windows and set small fires to some letter-boxes, never intentionally harming anyone. The Pankhursts were actually in charge of a proto-fascist group which committed countless bombings, arson attacks, and even tried to assassinate Lloyd George. They also didn't want votes for all women, but only votes for a certain higher class of women. Some leading suffragettes joined Mosley's Blackshirts and even wrote about the extensive similarities between the suffragettes and the Fascists.

Simon Webb also gets rid of our ideas about Emily Davison who became a martyr by throwing herself under the King's horse at the 1913 Derby for 'the cause'. She is called 'young' on the BBC History website, but she was over 40. This might be young today (although probably only if you are a CEO or a PM) but it certainly wasn't then. He writes that Davison was a fanatical woman who committed other attacks, and didn't care about harming other people. She also couldn't get a job.

This became a bit repetitive, but it was mostly because the members of the Women's Social and Political Union committed so many attacks, including placing bombs in Westminster Abbey and St Paul's, burning down country houses and setting fire to railway stations. Webb lists all of them to make his point. However, I found his analysis of the suffragettes, why we mistakenly admire them and why women eventually got the vote excellent.

I received this free ebook from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

[Bubbles · Rating 1 out of 5]

An okay read about the crimes committed by militant suffragettes if you can get past the authors obvious bias, which I couldn't. Also, very repetitive.

[Maki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. It is not very long and it is very easy to reed. The author really shows the actions of the radical Women's Social and Political Union and really highlights their radicalism. The book is backed up by a number of sources including contemporary newspapers so we can say that the information presented in the book is credible. Webb manages to illustrate the motivations behind the radical action of the suffragettes and he shows how the WSPU was run and the tyrannical rule of Emmeline Pankhurst that led to splits within the WSPU and even led to Pankhurst's daughters opposing her. I know the book can be controversial, but it is important to note that the book is NOT anti-suffrage. Quite the opposite. The author makes a compelling argument that the actions of the WSPU actually hindered the movement for women's suffrage and that Pankhurst never wanted to give voting rights to lower class women and instead only cared about upper class ladies. This is a great book and I recommend it to everyone.
10/10

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

To question the virtue of Pankhurst and the Suffragette movement , is close to heresy. Their methods, according to this author, are today overlooked, but when documented, as they are here, they show an ugly pro- terrorist organisation using militant violence to attain their goals. Acts of terrorism, such as multiple bombings, attacks and other forms of protest became normal.

The author shows that the Suffragettes, if anything , inhibited progress to universal female suffrage. First, their goal was to gain the vote for middle and upper class or university educated women, not a general suffrage for all.
Second, their violent methods drove public opinion against them, and put the government in a position where to grant suffrage would have been tantamount to giving in to terrorism.

WW1 brought an end to they escapades.

The book shows that we ought not be celebrating these “heroines of democracy “.

[Shaun Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an interesting view on this movement. The author was not afraid to dispel the myths that surround Mrs Pankhurst and the W.S.P.U. Known as the suffragettes. It is an easy and compelling read from start to finish and had me hooked throughout. A throughly researched book with the facts laid bare and at last the spotlight shone on this movement as their actions speak for themselves. This is a must read for all interested in the women’s fight for equal rights.

[Diana Farrell · Rating 1 out of 5]

A dull, repetitive, highly selective presentation of suppositions and bias, with the odd reference to historical events. The author makes extensive use of could have, might have, perhaps, and maybe, and presents his poorly backed up opinions as established facts. The book leaves the reader with little doubt as to Simon Webb's personal politics. I for one will avoid him like the plague from now on.

[Janelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

In The Suffragette Bombers, Simon Webb sets out to prove that a group of suffragettes associated with the Women's Social and Political Union 'conducted a widespread and sustained bombing campaign' and that 'they did more harm than good to the cause of women gaining the parliamentary vote. (introduction).

Webb clearly shows the difference between suffragists and suffragettes; equal suffrage and universal suffrage; and defines terrorist as per the modern day understanding. He gave context to the activities of the WSPU Suffragettes by explaining other events happening in the country (ex. The Great Revolts 1911) and the mood of the current government.

The authority of Webb's argument suffers from inconsistent citation. There are no footnotes or endnotes. Sometimes citation is given within the text of title, author, and date for quotes from books or publications. Other times quotes are written with no citation whatsoever. For example, on page 119, the author quotes the publication 'Votes For Women' but does not include the edition or date of the publication. Later on the same page, he quotes Christabel Pankhurst writing in The Suffragette 29 May 1914.

In The Suffragette Bombers, Webb challenges long-held beliefs about the suffragettes and the militancy of their actions, showing that a group of suffragettes within the WSPU did commit a campaign of bombings and arson attacks that did more harm than good to the cause of women's suffrage.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Webb sets out to prove his argument that rather than heroines, the Suffragettes were In fact early terrorists acting irresponsibly and irrationally and that they hindered rather than helped the Suffrage movement. I found it absorbing and interesting and learnt much about the politics and historical context of the time. Webb writes fluently and persuasively and the book is extremely well researched. It is clear that Webb has strong views and at times I found myself wondering what the counter argument was - it is very one-sided - but then again, Webb does make it clear from the start that the book is based on his particular premise.

This book was very thought provoking and made me think about the Suffragettes through a very different lens - I enjoyed reading it and would recommend to anyone interested in this period.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you for netgalley and Pen and Sword for the arc of this, thank you to Pen and Sword for granting my wish for this book.

4 star read- This was an excellent read, Simon Webb really explains about the actions of the radical, Women's Social and Political Union and shows their radicalism. Simon Webb also manages to illustrate the motivations behind the radical action of the suffragettes and he shows how the Womens Social and Political Union was run and the tyrannical rule of Emmeline Pankhurst that led to splits within the Womens Social and Political Union and even led to Pankhurst's daughters opposing her.... he even shows the difference between the suffragettes and the suffragists as well as equal and universal suffrage.

Such an interesting and interesting read im so interested in history so this was a dream i loved this!

⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Louise Culmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating piece of history

Fascinating account of the terrorist campaign waged by the suffragettes. I was aware that they were violent, but didn’t know quite how violent until reading this book. The number of arson attacks and bombings they carried out is astonishing. Their brutal actions certainly hindered,rather than helped, the campaign for women’s suffrage. The vast majority of women who worked for female suffrage were non violent, and were horrified by the suffragettes. People who had supported women’s suffrage were repulsed by their violence. Given how much they put people off the cause, it’s a wonder women got the vote at all.

[Simon Alford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Votes for Ladies !!!..... provided you own property / graduated from a University / came from a certain social class. How the suffragettes were terrorists, who came to bomb and arson their way around the UK. How a third of working class men had no vote. How the vote in 1918 for qualified women over 30 was not a reward for war work. How the suffragists (the ones using lawful means) were more influential.

[JL Mars · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really fascinating read with a novel perspective that was backed up by well researched and often neglected information. Unfortunately, highly repetitive particularly with reiterating the main points the author was making (as in, explicitly stating his assessment or recounting an incident only to do the exact same thing in nearly the exact same verbiage pages later). Overall, I learned a lot, made a lot of notes and was encouraged to further research - recommend.

[Rhiannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting view of the terrorist campaign orchestrated by a splinter group of British women's suffrage campaigners. I could have done with less hammer on anvil repetition of he fact that bombings and arson are dangerous and immoral. I felt it would have benefited from more analysis and a slightly clearer narrative.

[Tim Lambert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book extremely interesting and I would recommend it to everyone. It is 'hidden history'. Many facts about the suffragettes have been quietly forgotten or covered up and Mr Webb's book brings them to light. It's an eye-opener and a must-read for anyone interested in British social history.

[Kirsten · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book caught my interest. Some of the points made were very interesting. I just don't think it was the best executed. There was a LOT of repetition, a LOT of going back and forth making the same point. Overall I learnt some new things and it's made me think about the suffragettes in a different way but could have cut to the chase a lot quicker

[Sima · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not my cup of tea

[Darjeeling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Women are powerful.

[b♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

less biased than it sounds from the outside