The Home Rule Crisis 1900-1914
The significance for Irish politics of the Liberal victory in 1906:
The Liberal landslide victory in 1906 was highly significant as it created a clear pathway for Home Rule to pass through. The Conservatives had previously
stopped the two Home Rule Bills in 1886 and 1893, this was the first time Home Rule was likely
The extent to which the Liberal party and IPP achieved Motives for Ulster Unionist, Southern Unionist and Conservative opposition to Home
their aims by 1914: Rule:
• Liberals: Home Rule was passed in HofC and party ULSTER
survived attempts at removal of power. However, Economic: Ulster was wealthiest area of Ireland in shipbuilding, linen. 80% taxation
they were divided, they failed to secure a came from Ulster.
majority in 1910, the Curragh Incident Religious: feared “Home Rule equals Rome Rule” 90% Catholic 10% Protestant minority.
demonstrated their loss of military control, Worried Catholic Governemnt was oppressed their religious views.
Ulster intrests were alienated, and legalisation Identity: Unionists felt more loyal to their own sub- cultural identity, not Gaelic
didn’t go far enough (disappointed nationalists, identity.
outraged unionists.) Believed Home Rule was illegal, contract theory = British govt. has responsibility to
• IPP: Home Rule was in Statute Book in 1914, IPP protect their intrests in Ulster.
was Irish govt. in waiting and were a dominant
nationalist force in Ireland. However, it was CONSERVATIVES
coupled with a Suspensory Act, Parition was a Threatened the Empire: Feared domino effect in collapse of the Empire
reality, failure to provide alternative to Ulster Protective of Ulster industry
Question, rise in militancy, failed to reconcile Bonar Law wanted to use Home Rule issue to unite his party, and bring down the Liberals
Unionists and Nationalists. Bonar Law had personal links with Ulster
SOUTHERN
The significance for Irish politics of the General election
Feared Southern Land reform could take place, likely to lose their land and power
results of 1910:
Believe that Home Rule was result in lawlessness and anarchy due to Nationalist
In January and December 1910, both elections resulted in
aggression
a hung Parliament with the IPP holding the balance of
Saw Home Rule as a ‘stepping stone to independence’
power, this left them in a key position to push Home Rule
through.
The significance for Irish politics of the Liberal victory in 1906:
The Liberal landslide victory in 1906 was highly significant as it created a clear pathway for Home Rule to pass through. The Conservatives had previously
stopped the two Home Rule Bills in 1886 and 1893, this was the first time Home Rule was likely
The extent to which the Liberal party and IPP achieved Motives for Ulster Unionist, Southern Unionist and Conservative opposition to Home
their aims by 1914: Rule:
• Liberals: Home Rule was passed in HofC and party ULSTER
survived attempts at removal of power. However, Economic: Ulster was wealthiest area of Ireland in shipbuilding, linen. 80% taxation
they were divided, they failed to secure a came from Ulster.
majority in 1910, the Curragh Incident Religious: feared “Home Rule equals Rome Rule” 90% Catholic 10% Protestant minority.
demonstrated their loss of military control, Worried Catholic Governemnt was oppressed their religious views.
Ulster intrests were alienated, and legalisation Identity: Unionists felt more loyal to their own sub- cultural identity, not Gaelic
didn’t go far enough (disappointed nationalists, identity.
outraged unionists.) Believed Home Rule was illegal, contract theory = British govt. has responsibility to
• IPP: Home Rule was in Statute Book in 1914, IPP protect their intrests in Ulster.
was Irish govt. in waiting and were a dominant
nationalist force in Ireland. However, it was CONSERVATIVES
coupled with a Suspensory Act, Parition was a Threatened the Empire: Feared domino effect in collapse of the Empire
reality, failure to provide alternative to Ulster Protective of Ulster industry
Question, rise in militancy, failed to reconcile Bonar Law wanted to use Home Rule issue to unite his party, and bring down the Liberals
Unionists and Nationalists. Bonar Law had personal links with Ulster
SOUTHERN
The significance for Irish politics of the General election
Feared Southern Land reform could take place, likely to lose their land and power
results of 1910:
Believe that Home Rule was result in lawlessness and anarchy due to Nationalist
In January and December 1910, both elections resulted in
aggression
a hung Parliament with the IPP holding the balance of
Saw Home Rule as a ‘stepping stone to independence’
power, this left them in a key position to push Home Rule
through.
