ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses expressions of feminist militancy in two different historical and political contexts: the British suffrage movement in the early 20th century and the New Women's Movement in the Federal Republic of Germany in the 1970s. It focuses on the activities of the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) and the speeches of its leaders, Christabel and Emmeline Pankhurst, because they were a driving force in the militant branch of the movement for female suffrage in the UK. The chapter discusses the historical and political background of feminist militancy in the Federal Republic of Germany: the West German student movement and the 'New Left wave' of terrorism. It explores manifestations of feminist militancy in West Germany with particular attention to the ideas and activities of the Red Zora and compares them with those of the WSPU. In Germany confrontational tactics played a marginal role in the movement for female suffrage.
