<p>'!his thesis traces the political evolution of a number of Edwardian women activists. '!he careers of the three women who are central to this work, Kathleen Courtney, catherine Marshall and Helena swanwick, illustrate the developing political consciousness of this second generation of feminists who built upon the work of their Victorian predecessors. The leadership and inspiration of the three women, which began in the suffrage movement, took a new direction in 1914. With the outbreak of war, they turned their efforts to peace work. The refusal of the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies to support this new cause led to a realignment of forces when the dissenting members, led by the three, joined the ranks of men and women, particularly in the labour movement and the Union of Democratic Control, dedicated to seeking the peaceful resolution of international disputes. the opportunity to combine work for peace and suffrage was provided in April 1915 with the establishment of a new women's organization at the Congress held at the Hague. the British section of this new body was the Wanen' s International League. This organization became at once an integral part of the national peace movement, while retaining its identity as an women's organization. the purpose of the WIL was two-fold: one was to secure an errluring peace; the other, to educate women for citizenship. '!his war-time advocacy of a new basis for international relations led to a life-long contentment to internationalism for Courtney Marshall and Swanwick.</p> <p>Although in the short time they failed. in their objective of revolutionizing international relations, they did effect some enduring achievements. '!hey contributed to popularizing the idea of a league of Nations. Above all, they pressed successfully, sane steps further along the road, their claim to equal--citizenship for women.</p> / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:mcmaster.ca/oai:macsphere.mcmaster.ca:11375/14206 |
| Date | 06 1900 |
| Creators | Haslam, Beryl |
| Contributors | Rempel, R. A., History |
| Source Sets | McMaster University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | thesis |
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