Nancy Astor Dbq

The year 1919 changed the face of British politics and the gender equality movement forever. Before the year 1919, there were no women politicians in Parliament. The 1919 election in Plymouth that resulted in the election of Nancy Astor is considered to be one of the most famous and most widely observed by election of British history. There are several newspaper articles and accounts of the election and its constituency. The press documented the election from its early beginning and its historic conclusion. The election is often regarded as the election with the most press influence, mainly due to its historic result and the influence that Nancy Astor had in the Plymouth constituency and the popularity that she gained from its residents. This

essay will analyze different primary and secondary sources, to piece together one of the most interesting and groundbreaking elections in not only Plymouth, but also England.
There were many qualities about the Plymouth constituency that contributed to the end result of the campaign. Nancy Astor’s husband had held the constituency seat for ten years prior to 1919. However, according to historians such as Karen Musolf, the area had been swaying towards the labour party in recent months due to the overwhelming majority of workers in the town. “The most distinguishing feature of the Sutton division was that it contained a large working-class population. In addition to the large working class, there were a estimated 6,000 workers that had been layed off after post war. This would be a important factor in the campaign and may have been the reason for the increase in labour support.
However, the event that impacted the 1919 most significantly would be the suffrage movement. Before 1918, the women of nation had not been able to vote. It would be in 1918, with the introduction of Representation Act the that this would change opening up the doors, for not only people like Nancy to run but also for women to rally behind her, which is something that is proven in the demographics behind the campaign. This law would allow most women to be able to vote and sit in the House of Commons and allow women over thirty the ability to vote . This would be a big change in the workings of campaigning because for the first time, women were considered in advertising and were a group that needed to gear to.
The seat first became up for grabs with the death of Viscount William Astor in October 1919, would force his son, Waldrof Astor to give up his seat in the House of Commons and take his rightful position in the House of Lords. Waldrof Astor was very opposed to idea of having to forfeit his seat, and originally tried to fight with the law to continue his role in Plymouth, stating to the Western Evening News, “I would rather be Mr. Astor” “ than abandon his dreams of accomplishing great things for Plymouth. After attempting to change the law and hold his seat in Commons, he relinquished his title and began to campaign for his already popular wife, the new Viscountess Astor. “Lord Astor’s hope of an early resumption of his activities in the House of commons were brought to an end on Wednesday when the House a majority of 113 rejected the bill brought forward by Mr. J.H. Thomas to enable the holder of a peerage to surrender it with all its rights and privileges” Many were hopeful for her success when she first announced her candidacy and had much reason to be hopeful with the conservative’s success in the region over the previous years .
Nancy Astor was first candidate to be announced to run for the Conservative Unionist party in Western Emerald to take over the seat of her husband on October 25th 1919 in the her run was expected and prophesized in the papers as most people believed that her involvement with the Plymouth city and its people would make her victorious in the election. It was written in the Western Evening Herald that “The selection of Lady Astor has met with the approval of all ranks of the party and they are anticipating a very bright and merry campaign with an even more decisive majority than on the last occasion” Nancy had a huge involvement with Plymouth because of her husbands role in the House of Commons. However, despite her popularity with the people of Plymouth, she had many obstacles in her way that could have cost her the election. One of the main disconnections that she had suffered throughout her campaign was not only was she a woman, but she was also not English born. Born in Virginia, Nancy had migrated to England with previous years. Her birthplace would be a insulting comment throughout the election. For some of the voters, it was more fitting for the first woman in the House of Commons should have been a English woman. On one occasion, someone shouting “ Is there not an English lady in this country as capable of filling the first place in Parliament as an American lady?” in which she replied “I do not doubt there are many capable but I have much doubt whether there is anyone who understands Plymouth better than I do or who is more fit to represent than I am” She also had little experience in the field of Parliament, was uneducated and did not fit the humble persona of her voters. Her wealthy background met some disapproval throughout her campaign as Plymouth was a very poor area post war and she was not. Overall, her popularity and significant connection with the people of Plymouth is what would make her victorious, and help her cancel out the qualities and obstacles that stood against her. Nancy used the meetings to try and highlight the common roles and values of the women and draw them together. Another reason he did not seem to disturb Astor’s campaign to any great extent was that he chose to forgo his usual Tory-baiting in order to focus on his own quarrels with Lloyd George.
Isaac Foot, the liberal candidate, did not gain as much popularity as his components.

He had served as the City council president for a total of three years and had lost previously in a 1915 election for the same seat. He was announced as the last candidate to be placed up for the campaign for the liberal party. He was considered to be a highly competent public speaker that was dedicated to community service. As a candidate, he had a nice background in politics and was a native of Plymouth with a strong influence in the city community. Despite these advantages, he struggled throughout the campaign trying to gain popularity. Two weeks into the campaign, the Weekly Evening Herald reported that “Isaac Foot’s campaign doubtless suffered on account of the fact that he had, as a solicitor, represented a number of Conscientious Objectors during the war, however he polled more than the Liberal candidate had in the 1918 Election.” Rhetoric Historians such as Karen Musolf attribute Foote’s lack of success to his inability to distance himself from the Astor’s. Nancy and Isaac were very similar in personality and policy and it was very hard for him to disagree with her on his points or make a difference in the elector’s

minds.
William Gay was announced as the candidate for the Labour party on October 2, 1919. Similar to Foote, he was born in Plymouth and had a lot of influence with the people. He also had a similar background that Foote had, with previous political positions. However, what Gay possessed that Foote did not, was a strong backing from his party and the people. The Labour party had been regaining more followers although it was in his developmental years, with its increase in the working class and Gay took advantage of the new demographics. Out of the three candidates, it would Astor and Gay that would really compete for the votes.
Isaac Foot’s campaign doubtless suffered on account of the fact that he had, as a solicitor, represented a number of Conscientious Objectors during the war, however he polled more than the Liberal candidate had in the 1918 Election.
The campaign of the 1919 election was very hands on, with each candidate using their influence and own techniques to influence the vote. Each candidate focused on his or her beliefs and plans if elected. Astor focused in on the area of women and families, Foote focusing in on the workings of Parliament and Gay focused his interests on the working class. When the campaign officially began, candidates held a meeting to discuss why they should be chosen for the seat. The reception of each candidate was documented in the Evening Herald with Nancy proving to be victorious and early signs of Foote’s struggling outlined with it being written “Mr. Isaac Foot did not strike a particularly cheerful note in his opening address to his supporters. He did not speak as one expecting victory but talked of the necessity of fighting a good fight and the possibility of an uphill fight being successful”
However, the area each woman needed to focus in on were women. Nancy used her platform as a woman and wife of the former MP to campaign. Hosting several different meetings for women to discuss local issues, she was able to connect and understand the issues that she would run on. She would also have visits from several disguinshed personas to help her campaign, such as an endorsement from Lloyd George . Her efforts were working from the beginning with the Western Evening Emerald recording that at one of her meetings for the women, a woman shouted up stating, “It doesn’t matter if the men want you, the women will put you in” She also ran declaring to change a lot of the issues in the family and children. Foote and Gay tried both tried as well to host meetings to recruit more women but each were not as hands on and successful as Nancy had been.
Many of the newspapers predicted for Astor to win the end victorious in the election mainly on her popularity and experience in Plymouth and her ability to win over the majority of the women in Plymouth. People also felt that her previous experience with her husband had been a benefit to her. On November 1st, 1919, seven days before the election date, the Illustrated News reported “ It already seems to stand out clearly that Lady Astor will be fighting the battle of the Coalition under extraordinary advantages since she knows her Plymouth well” and on November 22nd they would claim, “ Lady’s Astor’s extraordinary personal popularity especially among the women who are already slightly in the majority in the division. The most modest estimate of Lady Astor’s majority is 5,000 and many confidently expect 8,000. “The selection of Lady Astor has met with the approval of all ranks of the party and they are anticipating a very bright and merry campaign with an even more decisive majority than on the last occasion” “ My hope is that I may pave the way for other women who aspire to enter Parliament. There are many splendid English women who would make most useful members and would do as much good work for the country as any men, but the country seems to be quite sure that women in the House of Commons can discharge their heavy responsibilities and win laurels in the House of Commons” “ At the last general election on the licensing trade which is quite as patriotic as any other trade or interest in the country voted solidly for the Coalition and the government have done nothing in the mean time to cause them to withdraw their support to cause them to withdraw their support and give it to other candidates who would be less likely to be tolerant to the trade or respect it’s wishes” “ If I can judge by todays reception to me hen going round the constituency, I feel really sorry for my opponents for they must be as discouraged as I am encouraged. I get the same warm reception from all men women and children. My one regret is that children have no votes!” Each candidate worked tried to campaign towards women in their own way. Isaac Foote held at least two meetings in which he only spoke to women about their issues and the William Gay held one meeting campaigning towards women as well. However, neither candidate could compete with the obvious popularity of Nancy Astor with women and children. She held several different meetings geared specifically towards women and allowed the women to ask her questions about her intentions. The women voters seemed to have responded well to this. By the end of the campaign, it was very evident that Nancy had a strong support of women with one woman exclaiming at a meeting,” It don’t make much sense if the men don’t back you, the women will put you in.” Her success was obvious and during the height of the suffer gate movement; she was a candidate to be considered to break the barriers. Her advertisements read, “Make history and the first lady M.P” and “A woman for economy, a lady for Parliament, Astor for Plymouth”
However, despite the obvious leaning towards Nancy Astor in the press, each candidate published in the local newspaper that they were hopeful and confident for a win. “Mr Gay declared that he had no doubt that Labour was winning and seen by our representative close of the poll. Expressed him as more than satisfied” . In the Herald News, he even prophesized that ballot total, predicting that he would win with a total of 12,300 votes, with Astor trailing behind him with 10,150 and Foot coming in last with a total of 7,020 votes. Gay had a reason to feel confident, as he had gained a significant number of votes in the last days before the voting stating the Western Evening Herald that “Vintry Ward has been always regarded as an invulnerable stronghold of Toryism but the number of voters in that district who have been converted to the Labour party is extremely gratifying” “ Astor had predicted her victory before the casting of votes before the election as well, stating that she would surpass her husband’s vote Reports received from all parts of the division show that there is no doubt Lady Astor’s candidature is becoming increasingly popular and indicate that there is very favorable prospect of success”
It all came to end on November 1919 when it was announced that Nancy Astor had beat out her components in the election with significant numbers.

“William Gay had also contested that one and he too increased his vote, but the turnout was up generally and Nancy Astor won with a majority of over 5,000. Although both Foote and Gay had a strong turnout for their parties, neither could contend with the popularity of Astor with the people of Plymouth. The Western Evening Herald reported that a total of 16,996 women voted and 20,700 men. The response to Nancy Astor’s candidacy was overwhelming with the Western Evening Herald reporting the crowds followed her carriage in

joy.
The press was an overall a driving force behind the campaign of the election. In the newspapers compared to Foote and Gay’s segments are significantly larger. did and it is very noticeable when analyzing their influence and presence in the pages and articles.
Overall, the election of 1919 was a historic and significant campaign, with Nancy Astor winning the seat and becoming the first woman to sit in the House of Commons and the strength of the women vote being proven. Nancy would go on to stay in here seat for the next twenty years and her 1919 campaign always being regarded as the ultimate