Hunger Strikes

Definition

Hunger strikes are a form of non-violent protest where individuals refuse to eat in order to draw attention to a cause or demand change. In the context of the Women's Suffrage Movement, hunger strikes became a powerful tactic used by activists to protest the denial of women's right to vote and to highlight the injustices they faced. This method of protest garnered significant media attention and public sympathy, putting pressure on authorities to address their demands.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. One of the most notable hunger strikes occurred in 1917 when women imprisoned for protesting were subjected to forced feedings, which sparked public outrage.
2. Hunger strikes were employed by activists to draw attention to their cause and challenge the notion that women were too delicate for political engagement.
3. The use of hunger strikes highlighted the brutal treatment of suffragists in prisons, leading to increased public support for their movement.
4. Activists like Alice Paul organized hunger strikes strategically during key moments in their campaign for women's suffrage, making them more impactful.
5. The success of hunger strikes contributed to the eventual passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920, granting women the right to vote.

Review Questions

• How did hunger strikes serve as an effective tactic for suffragists in their fight for women's voting rights?
  • Hunger strikes served as an effective tactic because they attracted media coverage and public attention to the plight of suffragists. By refusing to eat, activists like Alice Paul demonstrated their commitment to their cause and highlighted the injustices faced by women seeking the right to vote. This non-violent form of protest often led to public sympathy and increased pressure on lawmakers to consider women's suffrage.
• Discuss the implications of forced feeding during hunger strikes on public perception of the women's suffrage movement.
  • Forced feeding during hunger strikes had significant implications for public perception. It exposed the harsh treatment of suffragists in prisons and painted authorities in a negative light. Many people were horrified by the brutality of these actions, which shifted public opinion in favor of suffragists and their demands. This backlash against such extreme measures ultimately strengthened the movement and garnered more support for women's rights.
• Evaluate how hunger strikes influenced legislative changes regarding women's voting rights in the United States.
  • Hunger strikes significantly influenced legislative changes by putting immense pressure on lawmakers through heightened public awareness and outrage. The emotional response generated from witnessing women endure such suffering drew attention to the suffrage movement’s legitimacy and urgency. As these protests gained traction, they helped create a climate where lawmakers felt compelled to act, leading to the eventual passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920, which granted women the right to vote.

Related terms

Suffragettes: Women who campaigned vigorously for the right to vote in the early 20th century, often using militant tactics, including hunger strikes.

Civil Disobedience:

The active refusal to obey certain laws, demands, or commands of a government, typically as a peaceful form of political protest.

Alice Paul:

A prominent leader in the Women's Suffrage Movement known for her radical strategies, including hunger strikes and organizing protests.