Home Rule (reactions, causes, effects, results) Flashcards
Explain the background of the home rule crisis.
The conservative party ruled Britain from 1895 to 1906. During that time, unionists in Ireland were happy because they knew that a home rule bill would be passed. but, in 1906, the Liberal Party took over the government. They supported home rule.
What was the parliament act in 1911?
The liberals needed the support of the Home Rule Party to stay in government. They passed the parliament act in 1911. Up to this, the House of Lords could vote out against Bills coming from the House of Commons. Now under the Act, the House of Lords could delay laws for only two years.
With the Liberals depending on the home rule party and the power of the house of lords weakened, home rule for Ireland seemed likely.
When and what was the third home rule bill? What did this bill mean?
Who opposed this bill?
The Liberal Party had tried to pass two home rule bills in the 19th century but both had been defeated. In 1912, the Liberals, led by Prime Minister Asquith, introduced the third home rule bill.
According to this bill:
A parliament in Dublin would deal with internal Irish affairs.
The parliament of Westminister would deal with external affairs.
Unionists and conservatives were opposed to the bill, but the house of lords couldn’t delay the bill more than two years, so Home Rule would become law in 1914.
What did the unionists do to oppose the third home rule bill?
The unionist leaders, Carson and Craig, believed that if they opposed the bill strongly enough, the British government would be forced to drop it. They began to organise strong opposition to the bill.
What were the unionist’s actions proving that they opposed the home rule bill?
Unionist opposition to Home Rule:
Ulster Solemn league and Covenant signed by over 200,000 men on 28th September 1912.
Similar declaration signed by quarter of a million women.
Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) founded, January 1913 with 10,000 members.
Support from conservative Party.
Imported arms and ammunition -Larne gun running, April 1913, 35,000 guns, 5 million rounds of ammo.
Huge demonstrations e.g. 50,000 people.
What were the reactions of the nationalists to the third home rule bill?
Eoin MacNeill suggested that nationalists should follow the example of the Northern unionists and form their own volunteer force. This would put pressure on the British government to bring in Home Rule.
Nationalist reaction:
Irish volunteer force founded in Dublin, November 1913, 100,000 members.
Arms imported from Germany by Asgard Howth, July 1914; 900 rifles, 25,000 rounds of ammunition.
What was the threat of civil war?
The third home rule bill was making its progress through the British parliament at Westminister. Attampts at compromise or agreement between nationalists and unionists failed. Ireland was heading for civil war.
On 4th august, 1914, Britain declared war on Germany. WW| had begun. The hume rule bill became law on 18th September, but it was immediately suspended and not revived until 1919.
What were the reactions to WW| with nationalists? Summarise the points into national and Irish volunteers.
Who was the leader of the home rule party? What did they say?
The irish volunteers split over Ireland’s part in WW|. The vast majority followed the views of John Redmond who was the leader of the home rule party. These became known as the national volunteers. Redmond said Irishmen should take part in the war to defend home rule
How did the 1916 rising begin?
The IRB (irish republican brotherhood) leaders began to make plans for a rising soon after the start of WW1. They felt that it was a good time for a rising because the English government’s attention would be distracted from Irish affairs by the world war. The IRB formed a military council to organise the rising.
Why did the 1916 rising fail? (6)
The irish volunteers were outnumbered. The capture of the Aud Bad tactics of the volunteers Irish volunteers failed to get the support of the people. Rising largely confined to Dublin. British army had greater fire power.
What were the results of the 1916 rising? (7)
Death, the rise of Sinn Féin, destruction in Dublin (€3.8 million damage costs), military in control, people’s reaction (anger over food shortages), executions, changing reactions (due to the executions).
How were nationalist split over WW1? Who did each group follow? Who did they support or oppose?
Nationalist volunteers: Followed John Redmond Supported Irishmen fighting abroad defended home rule About 110,000 men
Irish volunteers: Followed Eoin MacNeill Opposed to Irishmen fighting abroad Defended Ireland in Ireland. About 10,000 men
What were the plans of the military council?
The military needed arms and ammunition and men. They wanted to keep their plans secret because of the danger that spies would provide information to the British government.
In January 1916, the military council decided that the rising would take place at Easter.
Where did Ireland get their arms from? Explain this event and what happened.
Roger Casement got arms from Germany, England’s enemy at war. The Germans gave him 20,000 rifles, 10 machine guns and ammunition. They were transported on the Aud but on Friday before Easter, the Aud was captured off the Kerry coast. It was sunk and all the arms and ammunition were lost.
How were the Irish Volunteers involved in the 1916 rising? Wht happened for the plans to go wrong?
Eoin MacNeill was opposed to the rising.
The military council showed him a document - the castle document - that said that the British government was planning to disarm the Irish volunteers. As a result, MacNeill allowed the Irish volunteers to go ahead with drills and manoeuvres planned for Easter Sunday.
Eoin MacNeill found out that the castle document was a forgery. He then cancelled the volunteer manoeuvres for Easter Sunday.
