Pank-A-Squith (1909) – Board Game Guys

Pank-a-Squith

Pank-a-Squith is a political board game about the suffragette movement created around 1909. It was created for the British Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) and produced by a German company. The game was named after two important figures in the British suffrage movement: the suffragette leader Emmeline Pankhurst and British Prime Minister and opponent of women’s suffrage, H. H. Asquith. Its name can be read as “Pankhurst vs Asquith,” since both individuals were opponents in their views on women’s suffrage. Starting in 1909, the game was sold in the WSPU shops in Britain and was used as a way to generate funds for the suffragette movement.

Why is Pank-a-Squith Popular?

Pank-a-Squith is significant because it was created as a way to generate funds and help spread women’s suffrage ideologies. It was also used as a tool to educate people about the suffragette movement and the political climate of the time. The game is popular among collectors and historians as a unique artifact of the suffragette movement.

Game Components of Pank-A-Squith

Game Board: A spiral board with 50 squares, featuring the colors of the suffragette movement (green, white, and purple)

Game Tokens: Six suffragette figures, each holding a rolled petition and wearing a sash in suffragette colors

Dice: For determining player movement

Illustrations: Depictions of various suffragette events and challenges on the board squares

How To Setup Pank-A-Squith

To set up the game, place the game board in the middle of the playing area. Each player chooses a suffragette token and places it on the outermost square, which represents home. The objective is to move the token through the spiral to the central square, which depicts the Houses of Parliament.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Objective: Reach the central square, representing universal suffrage

Movement: Players roll dice to move their tokens along the board’s squares

Squares’ Effects: Each square may have an event or challenge, such as throwing stones at the Home Office or participating in hunger strikes

Fundraising: Landing on certain squares requires players to send a penny to Suffragette Funds

Player Experience

Playing Pank-A-Squith is an immersive experience into the struggles and triumphs of the suffragette movement. Players navigate through a series of historical events, gaining insight into the determination and sacrifices made by suffragettes. The game is simple yet effective in conveying the message of the movement.

Pros

Educational Value: Provides a historical perspective on the women’s suffrage movement

Unique Theme: Combines a serious historical topic with engaging gameplay

Historical Significance: Produced in limited numbers, making it a rare and valuable piece of history

Simple Mechanics: Easy to learn and play

Cons

Limited Availability: Produced in small quantities, making it difficult to obtain

Simple Gameplay: May not appeal to players seeking complex strategies

Historical Sensitivity: Some players may find the depiction of certain events distressing

Personal Thoughts on Pank-A-Squith

Pank-A-Squith is a game for those interested in history, particularly the women’s suffrage movement. It is ideal for educational settings or for individuals looking to understand the struggles and achievements of the suffragettes. While it may not be a complex game, its historical significance and unique theme make it a valuable addition to any collection of historical board games.

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