Theme 5: Unionism & 3rd Home Rule Bill

Question 1

When did Unionism start to become revitalised and why?

Answer 1

1880’s - Talk of home rule was beginning to crop up

Question 2

Why did the heart of unionism begin to develop in the North of Ireland?

Answer 2

1) After acts which increased the size of the southern Irish electorate (usually to catholic voters) the vote for unionists was drowned out by a growing popularity for nationalism
2) Land Acts reduced the power and political influence of wealthy unionists, therefore more voted for nationalists
3) Unionists began to immigrate to the North because it was a safer place following the heated political debate

Question 3

Who won the 1906 general election and who was the leader?

Answer 3

Liberals lead by Henry Campbell Bannerman

Question 4

What was the focus Bannerman’s political focus in his 1906 ministry?

Answer 4

Social Reform and Reducing the power of the House of Lords

Question 5

When and what did the Irish Universities Act do?

Answer 5

1908
National University to improve higher educational opportunities for the catholic community
Queens College Belfast made into a full Presbyterian university

Question 6

When and what did the Land Act introduced by Bannerman do?

Answer 6

Made the purchase of land in overpopulated regions of Ireland compulsory

Question 7

What issue was the 1911 election mainly fought over particularly by the liberals?

Answer 7

Power House of Lords

Question 8

Who won the 1911 election, and who lead the party?

Answer 8

Liberals lead by Asquith

Question 9

What was the significance of the 1911 Parliament Act?

Answer 9

Removed the power of veto from the House of Lords so that they now only had the power to reject proposed legislation thrice

Question 10

What was the problem with the proposed home rule bills in 1912, 1913 and (March) 1914?

Answer 10

The position and significance of Ulster

Question 11

What and when was the Blenheim Palace speech? How many people attended the Blenheim Palace Speech?

Answer 11

In 1912, Andrew Bonar Law gave a speech that criticised the proposed home rule bill. It was attended by 13,000 people

Question 12

When and what was the Solemn League and Covenant? How many signed the document?

Answer 12

In 1912 Edward Carson and 450,000 unionists signed a document that represented their views against the 1912 Home Rule Bill

Question 13

In terms of Ulster, what was proposed in the 1912 and 1913 Home Rule Bills?

Answer 13

It wasn’t considered

Question 14

In terms of Ulster, what was proposed in the March 1914 Home Rule Bill?

Answer 14

A six-county opt out for Ulster for six years until it had been reconsidered to greater depth

Question 15

What did the House of Lords propose after reviewing the proposed March 1914 home rule bill?

Answer 15

Instead of a six country opt out they suggested 9

Question 16

After the rejection of the March 1914 Home Rule Bill, what was called in order to find a solution to the problem of Ulster?

Answer 16

Buckingham Palace Conference

Question 17

What was the product of the Buckingham Palace Conference?

Answer 17

Nothing

Question 18

In retaliation to the growing problem of Ulster what was the name of the paramilitary organisation that opposed Home Rule?

Answer 18

Ulster Volunteer Force

Question 19

How many members did the UVF have in 1914?

Answer 19

100,000 members

Question 20

How many weapons did the UVF again after the Larne weapons import?

Answer 20

25,000 rifles

Question 21

What was the name of the opposing organisation to the UVF?

Answer 21

Irish Volunteers

Question 22

How many members of the Irish Volunteers have in 194?

Answer 22

160,000

Question 23

What was the significance of the Irish Volunteers equivalent to the UVF’s Larne weapons import?

Answer 23

The Irish Volunteers suffered 3 police casualties

Question 24

How many army officers refused to impose home rule in Ulster, that was to become known as the Curragh Mutiny?

Answer 24

58

Question 25

What was the significance of the Curragh Mutiny?

Answer 25

The army could no longer be completely relied upon to impose home rule when it was passed

Question 26

When was Home Rule granted to Ireland?

Answer 26

September 1914

Question 27

Why was Home Rule delayed?

Answer 27

Outbreak of ww1

Question 28

What of Ulster in the 1914 Home rule Bill?

Answer 28

Same as in March

Question 29

What was unionism?

Answer 29

Unionism was a belief held by mostly Protestant Irish that Ireland should be constitutionally connected to Great Britain

Question 30

When was the Curragh Mutiny?

Answer 30

March 1914

Question 31

When was the Buckingham Palace Conference?

Answer 31

May 1914