In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, suffragettes on both sides of the Atlantic endured many hardships during their campaign for women's right to vote.

In Britain the campaign involved direct action, including breaking windows and other acts of vandalism. Most suffragettes refused to pay any fines levied, and were sentenced to prison terms. From 1900 to the beginning of World War I, approximately 1,000 were imprisoned.

Imprisoned suffragettes went on hunger strikes for their cause. The government responded first by releasing strikers to avoid liability for any deaths, then by brutally force-feeding them.