What is the Difference Between Suffragists and Suffragettes?

The terms suffragists and suffragettes refer to activists who advocated for women's right to vote. However, they were not interchangeable and had distinct characteristics:

• Suffragists: These individuals believed in peaceful, constitutional campaign methods. They were involved in the first wave of the campaign for women's votes and focused on nonviolent methods such as marches, distributing pamphlets, and giving public speeches. Suffragists were primarily associated with the women's suffrage movement in the United States.
• Suffragettes: These women were members of women's organizations in the late-19th and early-20th centuries who advocated for women's right to vote under the banner "Votes for Women". They emerged in the early 20th century after suffragists failed to make significant progress and were willing to take direct, militant action for the cause. Suffragettes were primarily associated with the British women's suffrage movement.

In the United States, the term "suffragette" was seen as offensive and was not embraced by the suffrage movement. Instead of using the term "suffragette," American activists generally referred to themselves as suffragists. On the other hand, in the United Kingdom, the term "suffragist" was more appealing and widely used.

Comparative Table: Suffragists vs Suffragettes

Here is a table that outlines the differences between suffragists and suffragettes:

In summary, suffragists and suffragettes both fought for women's right to vote, but they disagreed on the methods used to achieve this goal. Suffragists advocated for peaceful campaigning, while suffragettes were willing to use direct action, including violence and militancy.