History of the Problem

History of the Problem

• Ulster crisis most serious problem facing Liberal government
• Labour unrest caused economic disruption but not threat to government
• Constitutional crisis major problem but had backing of king and able to overcome
• Suffragettes gained publicity but had little effect on politics or governments position of power
• Ulster crisis dangerous, arms, split nation, weakened Libs, civil war

First Home Rule Bill 1886

• Liberal leader Gladstone split the Liberals and raised expectations for Nationals and fears for Unionists
• Randolph Churchill wrote to Gladstone saying if Gladstone came out in favour of home rule he would not hesitate in agitating resistance beyond constitutional limits (breaking the law)
• Churchill declared ‘Ulster will fight and Ulster will be right’
• Unionists concerned of weakening of union with Britain
• Irish Nationals accepted the terms as ‘final settlement of national question’
• defeated in Commons

Second Home Rule Bill 1893

• Completed passage through Commons on 2nd September 1893
• Defeated in House of Lords, with majority of Conservatives
• As long as House of Lords able to defeat bills no need for resistance to begin in Ulster
• However, Irish Unionists concerned major party prepared to support Home Rule
• Hardening attitude amongst Irish Unionists form Ulster Defence Association

Growth of Unionism in Ireland

• Majority of Unionists live in Ulster region
• Here where resistance to Home Rule developed into major obstacle for Liberal government

Three main factors for resistance from Ulster:

One – Religion

• 81% of Ireland Catholic in 1911
• In Ulster Protestants held majority
• Believed would be victimised for religion if Home Rule in Ireland
• ‘Home Rule is Rome Rule’

Two – Political alignment

• Growing demand for Home Rule led to polarisation of political parties
• Conservatives Unionists held power in Ulster
• Liberals held power along with Irish Nationals in Southern Ireland
• Unionist party set up in 1885 before first home rule bill
• Important as shows there was already opposition before bill and gave focus for opposition in future

Three – Economic

• Majority of Ireland agrarian (rural)
• Belfast (Ulster) centre of Irelands industry
• Greater ties with British cities like Glasgow and Liverpool than with Irish cities such as Dublin
• Ulster progressive and prosperous region of Ireland, owed much to link with Britain for market and materials
• Had vested economic interest in remaining part of Britain
• Unionists worried would be forced to pay for poorer regions of Ireland if Home rule

Other resistance

• People in Britain worried of splitting up of Empire whilst Germany were expanding
• Worried other nations under British Empire would demand freedom if handed to Ireland
• Many believed Irish incapable of ruling themselves without Britain

Cultural revival 1880s and 90s

• Nationalists began revival of Irish culture to stir national pride and show difference between Irish and English
• Began restoring the Irish language which had been in decline
• Irish sports began to flourish such as the Gaelic Athletic Association (1884) and the Gaelic League (1893)
• Irish Literature, dance and music became more widespread
• Fundamental message of revival was anti-British