Ulster Crisis: Liberals

Question 1

Original intentions

Answer 1

• Pass through HR as quickly as possible with no changes to pass on 3rd circuit
• Birrell and govt regarded opposition as “Nonsense! Rubbish!
• “Wait and see” Strategy

Question 2

Thomas Agar Robertes

Answer 2

• Proposal to exclude North East Ulster from HR

- Shown opposition and need to reform from within party

Question 3

Buckingham Place Conference, July

Answer 3

• Redmond forced to make concessions for Ulster exclusion; starting at four and advancing to six
• Redmond persisted for temporary, but Carson pushed for permanent-“death sentence with stay of execution for six years”

Question 4

Gun Running

Answer 4

• UVF formation, 1912, and gun running
• 25,000 guns, 3 million rounds
• Brought the gun back into Irish politics
• Effectiveness of Carsonism, threat of civil war

Question 5

Curragh

Answer 5

• Demonstrated how Ulster could not be coerced to accept HR

- Mutiny: Captains refused to sail against Ulster, resigned in protest

Question 6

Satisfaction?

Answer 6

• Originally pursued HR on all Ireland basis
• Realised compromise was key to subvert Civil War
• Pragmatic? Used IPP majority for Liberal reforms
• Asquith avoided being the PM being associated with Civil War