British
MPs/PMs
Role of Parnell
Young Charismatic leader, wanted greater legislative powers
Gained many friends in Parliament due to his family name
His policy of obstructionism was popular w/Fenians ∴ was elected as the president of the HRL
1879
Strong motivation gained support & renamed it the IPP, as it reflected a structured
organisation
Introduced the Pledge and the no drinking order when in parliament. All his followers were to
obey his commands
He was able to keep the IPP in a strong and powerful position, winning 86 out of 103 seats in
1885-86
This encouraged Gladstone to try and win back the seats he had lost or rely on Parnell and
the IPP
After the 1886 HR Bill failed, proposing Ireland to control domestic affairs whilst still
remaining in the Empire, caused a split in Liberal Party, but was defeated narrowly by
conservative resistance. 341-311
After 1886, he experienced bad personal events
Times incriminated his with the murder of Lord Cavendish producing forged letters
Also had an affair with Kitty O’Shea, which split the party up and lost the church support as it
Herbert Asquith
He opposed the Idea of Home Rule, and successfully presented the 3 rd HR Bill in 1912
This granted parliament to look after domestic state affairs, which was significant as well as
offering HR
Played a role in introducing Parliament Act 1911 which limited the House of Lords to delay
only which meant he could pass bills knowing opposition couldn’t stop them
Ignored Unionist Ideals up North
However, ignored anti-HR sentiment in the North (Ulster) and didn’t understand unionist
feelings
His initial HR Bill didn’t address their wants as only offered one single Irish Parliament.
Ulster Volunteer Force set up in 1913, gave unionists strength to defend this issue as well as
encouraged nationalists to form groups too.
He stood firm vs unionists, led to Asquith & King George V arranging a meeting to negotiate
how to end the violence
Luckily the War broke out in 1914 and the Bill was postponed.
William Pitt the Younger
He focused on British Policy in Ireland at the time of his term
In the 1780s he tried to improved economic policy & relations by attempting to establish free
trade with Britain
His ambitions were blocked by a less progressive Tory party (Wanted 100% control)
Following the death of King Louis XVI of France, this sparked more radical demands for HR &
protests for nationalism rose as demands for modern ideas such a democracy in Ireland grew
Pitt helped to readdress discrimination vs Catholics, offering the Catholic relief Act 1793,
which gave the rights to vote, and they could hold military/civil positions BUT still could not
sit in parliament
Didn’t really end the inequality, Wolfe Tone would then follow on this issue with the Young
Ireland movement
Pitt passed the Act of Union 1801 after the Uprising of 1798. He believed political interest
could be resolved by representation in Parliament as well as hoping to encourage investors &
hope to raise employment levels for Catholics by bounding Ireland more tightly to the British
What he had achieved was less than that hoped for by the Irish & political interests were still
less progressive than the Irish wanted
He faced large opposition and held less seats than the Catholics did in Ireland at the time
,William Gladstone
He felt obliged to ‘Pacify Ireland’ & deal with Irish affairs that were present i.e. issues of land
ownership, Religious tensions and ongoing violence
He developed policies to favour Irish desires to aid the current situation
Act of Union left Protestant church as Ireland’s main recognised church despite the
population being 75% Catholics who had to pay 10% of their wages to help fund these
churches
Introduced Irish Church Act 1869, disestablishing the Church in Ireland, meaning tithes would
no longer be paid unequally
He helped to widen relations despite bill being opposed by MPs and Queen Vic
Tried to improve Anglo-Irish relations via the Land Act 1870 (failed), offering compensation to
unfair eviction & intended to solve the issue of absentee landlords
Set up land tribunals which had the power to intervene over what was fair rent or not , but
the wording meant tenants in reality had little protection. Poor wording of act + economic
hardship at the time, act saw failure
Introduced 2nd Land act 1881, giving significant concessions i.e. 3F’s. This redemption helped
to reduced violence and ease tension but it’s success weakened by Phoenix Park murders in
1882.
Coercion Act 1881 saw Parnell arrested which saw tension increase as his campaign stopped
Kilmainham Treaty 1882 released Parnell to quell violence.
First HR Bill 1886 hoped to improve relations as Gladstone was committed to resolving the
Irish issues
Although it split his Liberal Party his second attempt in 1893 to pass HR again failed by this
time was denied by the Lords instead of the Commons showing HR was gaining more support
in the Commons by Liberals.
Lloyd George
He replaced Asquith in 1916 and was re-elected in 1918
Initially treatment of those in the Easter Rising meant that Sinn Fein gained momentum and
this continued as anger rose at the British
This, coupled with his attempt to introduce conscription in Ireland saw relations strained
In October 1919 he set up a committee to discuss the best way of going forward in Ireland,
under the chairmanship of Walter Long who was a unionist and this formed the basis of his
committees recommendations.
The committee proposed a six county Northern Ireland w/own govt and separate parliament
+ creation of a 26 county Ireland with separate parliament and own govt
He introduced this to the British govt, and it became law by the end of 1920
He believed this was the best route as it soothed Unionist fears of Catholic domination and
gave nationalist demands more freedom
He also was able to calm the war of independence as he invited leader Eamon de Valera
(Sinn Fein) to peace talks in London which initially failed but by the end of the year were
willing to negotiate a deal over the subject of and Irish-Anglo Treaty in 1921, but hostility still
occurring
However, his use of the black and Tans and their brutal tactics led to poor relations
throughout the period, caused Bloody Sunday Nov 21 1920.
Ultimately saw Ireland granted Dominion Status under the British Monarch Dec 1921
, Event
s
1782 Constitution Grattan
Aim to concede greater autonomy MP for Charlemont, a very good public
Reduced British control over legislation, only speaker
had right to Veto Demanded independence under the British
Annual mutiny act (for governing, financing, monarch in speeches i.e. 1775
regulating and provisioning the British Helped secure greater autonomy for the
standing army) Irish Govt and welcomed the rise of the
Irish judges could hold positions for life Irish Volunteers
Greater legal political influence for Irishmen
However the British still had control &
influence over Irish MPs and could impose
their own political interests
1798 Rebellion → Society of United Irishmen. Wolfetone. 1979 – 200k U.I
Inspired by the French & US revolutions, advocated for democracy and greater
independence
United Irishmen aimed to Unite Ireland to help fight vs British control as thought by
youngsters
Demanded in their 1794 manifesto, each man should have a vote and Ireland to be divided
in 300 constituencies, each with equal population.
However War with France saw the British become more resistant to extending Irish power
A 3 phase attack, but plan was revealed to Brits weeks before, alerting authorities about the
scale
Intense fighting but poorly executed. 10000 people suppressed
The French failed to arrive and support as weather conditions stopped the ships getting
close enough to land
6000 dead in Wexford, Wolfetone executed Nov 1798, a martyr. Sacrifice
Pitt introduced the 1801 Act of Union, binding the 2 nations closer together, however can be
seen as a nationalist victory. Ireland was at the back door and needed to be administered
properly, especially at a vulnerable time for Britain
Composed of both religions, united under one main political goal for Home Rule
Young Ireland John Mitchel was a leader
They were young nationalists associated with the ‘The Nation’ Paper
Wanted Home Rule through whatever meaning, often radical ideas
Older generations were not very supportive of them as they often used violence to achieve
their goals
Tithe wars
Tithe Composition Act of 1823 imposed more tax on farmer’s Land which created discontent
They were a tax of 10% imposed on people which went towards funding the Protestant
Church
This antagonised farmers and grew political agitation for Catholic Emancipation
Farmers refused in passive protest
People now resented to pay the Tithe, as they saw the British were being too dominant,
This led to direct action occurring and the boycotting of Tithe paying, leading to agri
depression
Irish Volunteers
A militia force formed at the time of the French Revolution during the US War, to defend
against any potential invasion, formed by Protestants, as British had emptied Ireland of
troops for these wars
Had 60,000 trained members by 1780, with volunteering becoming popular, with uniforms,
ranks etc
Authorities regarded the development with unease and saw the growing group to be beyond
controllable
After Britain surrendered to the US in 1781, Britain was in a vulnerable position
Feb 1782 a meeting in Dunnagon by the Ulster Volunteers to organise a campaign for
Legislative independence and Catholic relief
A new Whig Govt saw them want to conciliate and concede greater autonomy to the Irish
Parliament
Led to the 1782 constitution through negotiations with Grattan
MPs/PMs
Role of Parnell
Young Charismatic leader, wanted greater legislative powers
Gained many friends in Parliament due to his family name
His policy of obstructionism was popular w/Fenians ∴ was elected as the president of the HRL
1879
Strong motivation gained support & renamed it the IPP, as it reflected a structured
organisation
Introduced the Pledge and the no drinking order when in parliament. All his followers were to
obey his commands
He was able to keep the IPP in a strong and powerful position, winning 86 out of 103 seats in
1885-86
This encouraged Gladstone to try and win back the seats he had lost or rely on Parnell and
the IPP
After the 1886 HR Bill failed, proposing Ireland to control domestic affairs whilst still
remaining in the Empire, caused a split in Liberal Party, but was defeated narrowly by
conservative resistance. 341-311
After 1886, he experienced bad personal events
Times incriminated his with the murder of Lord Cavendish producing forged letters
Also had an affair with Kitty O’Shea, which split the party up and lost the church support as it
Herbert Asquith
He opposed the Idea of Home Rule, and successfully presented the 3 rd HR Bill in 1912
This granted parliament to look after domestic state affairs, which was significant as well as
offering HR
Played a role in introducing Parliament Act 1911 which limited the House of Lords to delay
only which meant he could pass bills knowing opposition couldn’t stop them
Ignored Unionist Ideals up North
However, ignored anti-HR sentiment in the North (Ulster) and didn’t understand unionist
feelings
His initial HR Bill didn’t address their wants as only offered one single Irish Parliament.
Ulster Volunteer Force set up in 1913, gave unionists strength to defend this issue as well as
encouraged nationalists to form groups too.
He stood firm vs unionists, led to Asquith & King George V arranging a meeting to negotiate
how to end the violence
Luckily the War broke out in 1914 and the Bill was postponed.
William Pitt the Younger
He focused on British Policy in Ireland at the time of his term
In the 1780s he tried to improved economic policy & relations by attempting to establish free
trade with Britain
His ambitions were blocked by a less progressive Tory party (Wanted 100% control)
Following the death of King Louis XVI of France, this sparked more radical demands for HR &
protests for nationalism rose as demands for modern ideas such a democracy in Ireland grew
Pitt helped to readdress discrimination vs Catholics, offering the Catholic relief Act 1793,
which gave the rights to vote, and they could hold military/civil positions BUT still could not
sit in parliament
Didn’t really end the inequality, Wolfe Tone would then follow on this issue with the Young
Ireland movement
Pitt passed the Act of Union 1801 after the Uprising of 1798. He believed political interest
could be resolved by representation in Parliament as well as hoping to encourage investors &
hope to raise employment levels for Catholics by bounding Ireland more tightly to the British
What he had achieved was less than that hoped for by the Irish & political interests were still
less progressive than the Irish wanted
He faced large opposition and held less seats than the Catholics did in Ireland at the time
,William Gladstone
He felt obliged to ‘Pacify Ireland’ & deal with Irish affairs that were present i.e. issues of land
ownership, Religious tensions and ongoing violence
He developed policies to favour Irish desires to aid the current situation
Act of Union left Protestant church as Ireland’s main recognised church despite the
population being 75% Catholics who had to pay 10% of their wages to help fund these
churches
Introduced Irish Church Act 1869, disestablishing the Church in Ireland, meaning tithes would
no longer be paid unequally
He helped to widen relations despite bill being opposed by MPs and Queen Vic
Tried to improve Anglo-Irish relations via the Land Act 1870 (failed), offering compensation to
unfair eviction & intended to solve the issue of absentee landlords
Set up land tribunals which had the power to intervene over what was fair rent or not , but
the wording meant tenants in reality had little protection. Poor wording of act + economic
hardship at the time, act saw failure
Introduced 2nd Land act 1881, giving significant concessions i.e. 3F’s. This redemption helped
to reduced violence and ease tension but it’s success weakened by Phoenix Park murders in
1882.
Coercion Act 1881 saw Parnell arrested which saw tension increase as his campaign stopped
Kilmainham Treaty 1882 released Parnell to quell violence.
First HR Bill 1886 hoped to improve relations as Gladstone was committed to resolving the
Irish issues
Although it split his Liberal Party his second attempt in 1893 to pass HR again failed by this
time was denied by the Lords instead of the Commons showing HR was gaining more support
in the Commons by Liberals.
Lloyd George
He replaced Asquith in 1916 and was re-elected in 1918
Initially treatment of those in the Easter Rising meant that Sinn Fein gained momentum and
this continued as anger rose at the British
This, coupled with his attempt to introduce conscription in Ireland saw relations strained
In October 1919 he set up a committee to discuss the best way of going forward in Ireland,
under the chairmanship of Walter Long who was a unionist and this formed the basis of his
committees recommendations.
The committee proposed a six county Northern Ireland w/own govt and separate parliament
+ creation of a 26 county Ireland with separate parliament and own govt
He introduced this to the British govt, and it became law by the end of 1920
He believed this was the best route as it soothed Unionist fears of Catholic domination and
gave nationalist demands more freedom
He also was able to calm the war of independence as he invited leader Eamon de Valera
(Sinn Fein) to peace talks in London which initially failed but by the end of the year were
willing to negotiate a deal over the subject of and Irish-Anglo Treaty in 1921, but hostility still
occurring
However, his use of the black and Tans and their brutal tactics led to poor relations
throughout the period, caused Bloody Sunday Nov 21 1920.
Ultimately saw Ireland granted Dominion Status under the British Monarch Dec 1921
, Event
s
1782 Constitution Grattan
Aim to concede greater autonomy MP for Charlemont, a very good public
Reduced British control over legislation, only speaker
had right to Veto Demanded independence under the British
Annual mutiny act (for governing, financing, monarch in speeches i.e. 1775
regulating and provisioning the British Helped secure greater autonomy for the
standing army) Irish Govt and welcomed the rise of the
Irish judges could hold positions for life Irish Volunteers
Greater legal political influence for Irishmen
However the British still had control &
influence over Irish MPs and could impose
their own political interests
1798 Rebellion → Society of United Irishmen. Wolfetone. 1979 – 200k U.I
Inspired by the French & US revolutions, advocated for democracy and greater
independence
United Irishmen aimed to Unite Ireland to help fight vs British control as thought by
youngsters
Demanded in their 1794 manifesto, each man should have a vote and Ireland to be divided
in 300 constituencies, each with equal population.
However War with France saw the British become more resistant to extending Irish power
A 3 phase attack, but plan was revealed to Brits weeks before, alerting authorities about the
scale
Intense fighting but poorly executed. 10000 people suppressed
The French failed to arrive and support as weather conditions stopped the ships getting
close enough to land
6000 dead in Wexford, Wolfetone executed Nov 1798, a martyr. Sacrifice
Pitt introduced the 1801 Act of Union, binding the 2 nations closer together, however can be
seen as a nationalist victory. Ireland was at the back door and needed to be administered
properly, especially at a vulnerable time for Britain
Composed of both religions, united under one main political goal for Home Rule
Young Ireland John Mitchel was a leader
They were young nationalists associated with the ‘The Nation’ Paper
Wanted Home Rule through whatever meaning, often radical ideas
Older generations were not very supportive of them as they often used violence to achieve
their goals
Tithe wars
Tithe Composition Act of 1823 imposed more tax on farmer’s Land which created discontent
They were a tax of 10% imposed on people which went towards funding the Protestant
Church
This antagonised farmers and grew political agitation for Catholic Emancipation
Farmers refused in passive protest
People now resented to pay the Tithe, as they saw the British were being too dominant,
This led to direct action occurring and the boycotting of Tithe paying, leading to agri
depression
Irish Volunteers
A militia force formed at the time of the French Revolution during the US War, to defend
against any potential invasion, formed by Protestants, as British had emptied Ireland of
troops for these wars
Had 60,000 trained members by 1780, with volunteering becoming popular, with uniforms,
ranks etc
Authorities regarded the development with unease and saw the growing group to be beyond
controllable
After Britain surrendered to the US in 1781, Britain was in a vulnerable position
Feb 1782 a meeting in Dunnagon by the Ulster Volunteers to organise a campaign for
Legislative independence and Catholic relief
A new Whig Govt saw them want to conciliate and concede greater autonomy to the Irish
Parliament
Led to the 1782 constitution through negotiations with Grattan
