Hello, I'm an expert in the field of history and social movements. Let's delve into the distinction between a suffragist and a suffragette.

Suffragist: The term "suffragist" is a general term that refers to anyone who advocates for the right to vote, particularly for women's suffrage. It includes both men and women who were part of the broader movement for women's voting rights, but who may not have engaged in direct action or civil disobedience.

Suffragette: The term "suffragette" is more specific and is often associated with the members of the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) in the United Kingdom, which was formed in 1903. The WSPU adopted a more militant approach to achieve their goals, including civil disobedience, hunger strikes, and other forms of direct action. The term "suffragette" was initially used derogatorily by the press but was later embraced by the women's movement as a term of empowerment.

In essence, while all suffragettes were suffragists, not all suffragists were suffragettes. The latter term is more closely associated with direct action and militant tactics.

read more >>

The suffragists believed in peaceful campaigning, whereas the suffragettes believed in direct action (violence and militancy). The suffragists was a national organisation, the suffragettes was a smaller organisation with 2000 members at its peak in 1914. The suffragists allowed men to join, the suffragettes did not.read more >>