Home Rule Crisis 1912-1914
What was the Home Rule crisis?
Name given to a form of devolved government which would have established an
Irish Parliament and executive in Dublin with responsibility for strictly Irish affairs,
while Ireland remained part of the UK and subjected to the supreme authority of the
Brit. Parliament at Westminster.
The originator of the concept Isaac Butt MP, was an Ulster Protestant who
recognised that the Act of Union between GB and Ireland had not forged a ‘union in
the hearts and minds.’ He hoped to unite Irish People of different political outlooks
and religions by empowering them to govern themselves in Irelands best interests.
JACKSON characterises the concept of HR as both ambiguous and appealing for
nationalists, but its ambiguity fuelled unionists’ fears about nationalist’ long term
intentions
When evaluating the H.R crisis, there are 4 groups we must consider:
1. The Conservatives
2. The Liberals
3. The Ulster Unionists
4. The IPP
The Conservatives
AIMS
Bonar Law (Conservative leader) had passionate attachment to Ulster- was more
than happy to endorse Carson’s Ulster strategy in fight against H.R
However, main motive for getting involved in H.R issue was to unite Conservative
party who were split over issues of tariff reform which contributed to their
resounding defeat in the General election in 1906
Wanted to focus the party’s attention an issue they all agreed with- traditional
stance of opposing H.R
Conservatives wanted back in power having lost 3 general elections in a row
Realisation that Liberals had assured support of Labour party and IPP giving them a
large majority, led some Conservatives to question “whether their party would ever
hold office again” (REES)
J. SMITH- Tories manufactured Home Rule Crisis as they wanted a General Election and
tried to force this using Home Rule
TACTICS- Violent Rhetoric and Implicit Physical Force
Began stirring public opinion against Liberals, claiming they were guilty of holding
onto power through a ‘corrupt bargain’ with the nationalists
Law declared to crowd of 100,00 at Balmoral showgrounds in Belfast on 9th April
1912 that Unionists were fighting to save the British Empire
For Bonar Law, Ulster was key to the Empire as in his Balmoral speech, he linked
Ireland to India
What was the Home Rule crisis?
Name given to a form of devolved government which would have established an
Irish Parliament and executive in Dublin with responsibility for strictly Irish affairs,
while Ireland remained part of the UK and subjected to the supreme authority of the
Brit. Parliament at Westminster.
The originator of the concept Isaac Butt MP, was an Ulster Protestant who
recognised that the Act of Union between GB and Ireland had not forged a ‘union in
the hearts and minds.’ He hoped to unite Irish People of different political outlooks
and religions by empowering them to govern themselves in Irelands best interests.
JACKSON characterises the concept of HR as both ambiguous and appealing for
nationalists, but its ambiguity fuelled unionists’ fears about nationalist’ long term
intentions
When evaluating the H.R crisis, there are 4 groups we must consider:
1. The Conservatives
2. The Liberals
3. The Ulster Unionists
4. The IPP
The Conservatives
AIMS
Bonar Law (Conservative leader) had passionate attachment to Ulster- was more
than happy to endorse Carson’s Ulster strategy in fight against H.R
However, main motive for getting involved in H.R issue was to unite Conservative
party who were split over issues of tariff reform which contributed to their
resounding defeat in the General election in 1906
Wanted to focus the party’s attention an issue they all agreed with- traditional
stance of opposing H.R
Conservatives wanted back in power having lost 3 general elections in a row
Realisation that Liberals had assured support of Labour party and IPP giving them a
large majority, led some Conservatives to question “whether their party would ever
hold office again” (REES)
J. SMITH- Tories manufactured Home Rule Crisis as they wanted a General Election and
tried to force this using Home Rule
TACTICS- Violent Rhetoric and Implicit Physical Force
Began stirring public opinion against Liberals, claiming they were guilty of holding
onto power through a ‘corrupt bargain’ with the nationalists
Law declared to crowd of 100,00 at Balmoral showgrounds in Belfast on 9th April
1912 that Unionists were fighting to save the British Empire
For Bonar Law, Ulster was key to the Empire as in his Balmoral speech, he linked
Ireland to India
