The Irish Volunteers Flashcards
What was the political crisis in Britain?
In 1909 the British government was plunged into crisis as the house of Lords rejected a budget proposed by the liberals
In 1910 two general elections took place both ended in stalemate. The IPPLEPEN held the balance of power
The liberals party supported by the IPP decided to introduce legislation that would prevent the house of Lords stopping legislation proposed by the British government
They passed a law that removed the veto the house of Lords. In future they could only delay legislation for 2 years
What was the effect of this change?
Every time the British attempted to introduce home rule the house of Lords stopped it
When the British government introduced the home rule bill 1912 the house of Lords could only delay it for 2 years
What was the reaction in Ireland?
The irish parliamentary party was very popular in Ireland and supporters of home rule praised the IPP leader John Redmond for achieving home rule in Ireland
Among unionists however there was utterly dismay that they could be betrayed by a British government
In response unionists under the leadership of Edward Carson established the Ulster Volunteer force as an armed group to resist home rule
Under pressure from the UVF and the Conservative party in Britain, the liberal government proposed Ulster would be excluded from home rule
How did nationalists respond to the formation of the UVF?
The establishment of the UVF posed a threat to nationalists and home rule
Some nationalists welcomed the UVF
The Irish republican brotherhood argued that it would allow nationalists to establish an armed group to fight for home rule for the whole island
If became inevitable that nationalists would respond to developments
How were the Irish Volunteers established?
With the support of the IRB, Eoin mac Neil a leading figure in nationalist circles called a meeting in Dublin on 25th November 1913 to establish the Irish Volunteers
The IRB had already begun millitary training and the GAA and Gaelic ledge were actively supporting the initiative
Hundreds attended the meeting in Dublin and meetings followed all over the country
Within weeks thousands had joined the Irish Volunteers and by the middle of 1914 they had 110,000 members
Why was home rule not introduced in 1914?
The first world war started before home rule could be introduced and the British government postponed home rule until the war was over
Leader of the IPP, John Redmond called on all members of the Irish Volunteers to join the British army, but Eoin mac Neill opposed Redmond
The Irish Volunteers split
Over 100,000 supported Redmond who formed the national volunteers
About 10,000 rejected the call you fight and remained with ma Neil in the Irish Volunteers
