The Home Rule Movement

Home , Easter Rising, Home Rule Crisis, Home Rule League, Isaac Butt, Kingdom of Ireland, Rome Rule

UNDERSTANDING 1917 AND BEYOND THE HOME RULE MOVEMENT

THE HOME RULE MOVEMENT Prior to the passing of the Act Of Union in1800, Ireland had its own parliament and ruled its own people. When the Act Of Union came into effect in 1801, the Kingdom of Ireland was merged with Great Britain to form the United Kingdom. Members of Parliament (MP) that were elected in Ireland from this point on would sit in Westminster, London and decisions about the running of Ireland would also be made from London. Ireland would remain under British rule until 1922. In this time, there would be several attempts at destabilising and revising the relationship between Ireland and Great Britain, but it wasn’t until 1870 that a political movement would gain any serious support for Home Rule. THE BEGINNING OF THE HOME RULE MOVEMENT On 19th May 1870 Isaac Butt founded the ‘Irish Home Government Association’. The Association was formed ‘for the purpose of obtaining for Ireland the right of self-government by means of a national parliament.’ Present at the first meeting was a cross section of people of varying religious and political persuasions as well as landowners, tenant rights activists and supporters and sympathisers of the failed Fenian rebellion of 1867. Those Isaac Butt present believed that Ireland was suffering as a result of being run from Westminster, as evidenced by outbreaks of rebellion and the on-going dispute between landlords and tenants over land. The Association was formed as a pressure group rather than a political party, but over the next three years, members of the group contested a number of by-elections with mixed success. In November 1873 the Home Government Association held a National Obstructionism conference where they reformed into a new organisation, the ‘ was the practice of Home Rule deliberately preventing League’, with the same goal – self-government for Ireland as a part of the bills from being passed, United Kingdom. The League contested the 1874 general election winning 60 either by mass opposition seats and becoming the third party in Parliament (in each election since 1852 or delivering lengthy only two parties had been elected into government). Isaac Butt’s influence talks in parliament. within the party began to decline as the membership became divided as to what tactics to use in the pursuit of Home Rule. Butt preferred to address parliament and follow procedure, whilst more radical members such as Joseph Gillis Biggar and Charles Stewart Parnell preferred ‘obstructionism’ in order Fenian was to force parliament to pay more attention to issues relating to Ireland. Elected the name given to as a Home Rule League MP in a by-election in 1875, Parnell’s influence within members of the Fenian the party grew rapidly amongst both Fenians and Home Rulers, leading him Brotherhood and Irish to being elected chairman of the party in 1880 after the death of Isaac Butt in Republican Brotherhood, organisations dedicated to 1879 (prior to Parnell’s nomination to leadership in May, the League won 63 the establishment of an seats in the general election earlier in the year under the leadership of William independent Irish Republic Shaw). In 1882 Parnell changed the name of the ‘Home Rule League’ to the by means of armed ‘Irish Parliamentary Party’. revolution.

THE HOME RULE MOVEMENT 1 UNDERSTANDING 1917 AND BEYOND THE HOME RULE MOVEMENT

Issac Butt and the Home Charles Stewart Parnell and the Government Association/Home Irish Parliamentary Party Rule League

Not a political party, but an alliance A political party with all members of people and politicians encouraged to take their seats in dedicated to Home Rule. Westminster.

Catholic membership increased, Catholic and Protestant whilst Protestant membership membership. decreased.

Much more middle class. Charles A variety of people from the social Protestant landowners and Stewart ladder, including landowners and politicians numbers quickly Parnell tenants. declined.

A variety of politicians with differing political allegiances (Whig / Liberal / Tory). This led to All members were IPP politicians. disagreements in policy and split votes.

Instead of being an informal allegiance of home rule supporters comprised from varying backgrounds and political parties, the IPP was now a unified and organised political party, with a membership that was more radical, Catholic and middle class.

In the years following the formation of the IPP, Home Rule would become a dominant issue in Westminster with multiple attempts to pass legislation that would grant self-rule within the British Empire.

THE HOME RULE MOVEMENT 2 UNDERSTANDING 1917 AND BEYOND THE HOME RULE MOVEMENT

FIRST HOME RULE BILL In April 1886, British Liberal Prime Minister William Gladstone introduced the Government of Ireland Bill (or First Home Rule Bill). Gladstone

wrote the Bill himself, without the input of Irish MPs or his own ministers. The Bill was debated for two months and on the 7th June - the day before the vote for the Bill was due to take place – Gladstone made a three hour speech to the House of Commons in an attempt to increase support for the

Bill. On the 8th June, the Bill was defeated by 343 votes to 413. Despite Par- nell’s reservations about some aspects of the Bill, it had the support of the IPP, but the issue of Home Rule caused a split in the Liberal Party, leading to 93 Liberals voting against the Bill. Liberals such as Joseph Chamberlain felt that giving Ireland its own parliament would cause Britain and Ireland to John drift apart." As a result of the Bill being defeated and the Liberal Party being Redmond split, Gladstone resigned and another election was called for July.

The 1886 general election proved to be a reversal of fortunes for the Liberals, as the Conservatives won the most seats with the Liberal Unionists - formed by those who split from the Liberals - winning 77 and helping the Conserva- tives to form a government. The Liberals took power back again in the general election of 1892, but again did not have enough seats to form a government Are we, then, going to reduce and again relied on the support of the IPP to form a government (now under Ireland to the position of a the leadership of and John Dillon). self-governing colony? We John Redmond know that, if we did so, that colony would at once throw off its allegiance. Are we, SECOND HOME RULE BILL then, going to reduce Ireland Returning as Prime Minister after the 1892 general election, Gladstone to the position of a self- attempted for a second time to enact a Government of Ireland Bill. The Bill governing colony, subject to was introduced in February 1893. After much debate, the Bill was passed a constitutional supremacy in the House of Commons by 43 votes (347 to 304). Despite going one step which becomes a sham, and further than the previous Bill by making it to a vote in the House of Lords, which we dare not exercise? it was rejected after four days of debate by a vote of 419 to 41 (Bills had to That is the question which lies be passed in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords before at the root of our desire that becoming legislation). Gladstone decided against resigning and calling Irish members be retained at another election, as he believed that Irish Home Rule could not be passed Westminster... in the House of Lords. Joseph Chamberlain 1st June 1886.

The Conservatives" and Liberal Unionists came back into power after the 1895 general election and remained there until 1906, when the Liberals won the general election in a famous landslide victory. Two further general elections were held in 1910 - the first (January) as a result of the rejection of a 'People's Budget' by the House of Lords and the second (December) because no party won a clear majority. The December election resulted in a win for the Liberal Party, who formed a government with the IPP - under the leadership of John Redmond - who had demanded before the election took place that Home Rule be included in the Liberal election programme.

THE HOME RULE MOVEMENT 3 UNDERSTANDING 1917 AND BEYOND THE HOME RULE MOVEMENT

THIRD HOME RULE BILL After winning the December 1910 general election, Liberal Prime Min- ister Herbert Asquith was determined to reform the House of Lords, the upper house of the British parliament which had the power to block pro- spective bills from becoming law. This resulted in the passing of the Parlia- ment Act 1911 which reduced the power of the House of Lords to block bills, reduced their ability to delay bills and reduced the maximum term of a parliament from seven to five. Although not completely supportive of Home Rule, Asquith recognised the role Redmond and the IPP played in helping the Liberals form a government. A new Government of Ireland Act was introduced in April 1912, which allowed Ireland more independence than the previous two Bills. The Bill was passed three times by the House of Commons and each time rejected by the House of Lords. After the third defeat, Asquith used the provisions of the Parliament Act to over- rule the House of Lords and push the Bill through. Tensions between anti Home Rule unionists in Ulster and pro Home Rule nationalists in the south had Ireland on the brink of civil war. In an attempt to appease both sides, Edward Carson proposals were put forward that would temporarily exclude Ulster from the Home Rule Bill, but discussions over how many counties would be included and the duration of the exclusion, overlapped with the outbreak of the First World War. This led to Asquith abandoning the proposals and rushing through the Third Home Rule Bill and the Suspensory Act in September 1914. The Suspensory Act was put forward in order to postpone the Home Rule Bill until the end of the war.

Resistance to Home Rule was strongest in the mainly Protestant province of Ulster. Under the leadership of Edward Carson and James Craig, unionists showed their opposition to Home Rule by signing the ‘Ulster Covenant’ in September 1912 and forming the Ulster Volunteer Force in January 1913. In response, the Irish Republican Brotherhood launched the Irish Vol- unteers in November 1913. After the passing and postponement of the Home Rule Bill, the issue took a back seat as both traditions encouraged men to enlist to help fight the war.

FORTH HOME RULE BILL The Government of Ireland Act 1914 was never implemented because of the First World War and with Ireland more divided than ever - Ulster Unionists still resisted Home The Irish War of Independence came to an end in July Rule and the War of Independence was ongo- 1921 when a truce was called between the Irish Re- ing - the British Government proposed creat- publican Army and the British Government. The truce ing two separate home rule parliaments in resulted in the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty in Ireland: The Government of Northern Ireland 1921. The Treaty granted Ireland dominion status - an and The Government of Southern Ireland. independent state within the British Empire - and gave The Government of Ireland Act was passed Northern Ireland (created by the Government of Ireland in December 1920, but was not received well Act 1920) the option of withdrawing from this new Irish by either side in Ireland. Unionists preferred Free State - which it did. The Treaty split Sinn Féin and to remain a part of the United Kingdom, but the IRA into Pro and Anti-Treaty factions causing a Civil were prepared to accept a northern Home War. The Civil War began in June 1922 and ended in Rule Parliament. In the south, the political May 1923 with the Pro Treaty faction victorious. In April landscape had changed dramatically since 1949, Ireland declared itself the 'Republic of Ireland' un- 1916 and there was no longer an appetite for der the terms of The Republic of Ireland Act 1948. The Home Rule, but for full independence. Sinn Act ended Ireland's membership in the British Com- Féin - the largest party in Ireland - rejected monwealth, making it a fully independent state. the Act.

THE HOME RULE MOVEMENT 4 UNDERSTANDING 1917 AND BEYOND THE HOME RULE MOVEMENT

RESISTANCE TO HOME RULE Protestants Resistance to Home Rule was strongest in the province of Ulster in the north feared being 'Home Rule ruled by a Catholic of Ireland. Aside from the pride felt as being part of the British Empire, means Rome Rule' influenced the resistance was mostly along religious and economic lines. Historic government hostilities between Protestants and Roman Catholics had not gone away, and a Protestant minority in Ulster feared that a majority Roman Catholic government situated in Dublin, and under the influence of the Catholic Church, would be a threat to their faith and culture. This fear gave rise to 28th the famous phrase ‘Home Rule means Rome Rule’. Economically, Ulster September Almost 500,000 1912: 'Ulster Day' unionists sign the was thriving, due to being more industrialised than the agricultural south. 'Ulster Covenant' Belfast had grown to be the biggest city in Ireland – population-wise and and the signing against Home of the 'Ulster Rule economically. Unionists believed that if Ulster was to continue to thrive, it Covenant' needed to be part of the United Kingdom. As Home Rule became a realistic possibility after the Parliamentary Act 1911, Ulster unionists began to mobilise under the leadership of James Craig and

. In a period known as the , Ireland was on 13th January 100,000 men Edward Carson Home Rule Crisis 1913: the enlist in the UVF the brink of civil war as both unionist opposition to, and nationalist support formation of the to defend Ulster for Home Rule prepared for conflict. The first major show of opposition against Home 'Ulster Volunteer strength came on 28th September 1912 as almost 470,000 unionists signed the Force' Rule

‘Ulster Covenant’ on ‘Ulster Day’ in Belfast City Hall. A separate declaration was drawn up by the Ulster Women Unionist’s Council, in which the women of Ulster swore to “associate ourselves with the men of Ulster in their uncompromising opposition to the Home Rule Bill.” Carson and Craig also

British Army believed that Ulster needed an armed militia to resist Home Rule, so formed 20th March " officers threaten to the in January 1913, made up of 100,000 men. In 1914: the Curragh Ulster Volunteer Force resign if ordered to response, the Irish Republican Brotherhood launched the in Mutiny fight the UVF Irish Volunteers November 1913. During discussions after the introduction of the Government of Ireland Act in April 1912, it was proposed that Ulster be excluded from the Bill, but this was unacceptable to John Redmond and the IPP who were against partition. Carson, born in Dublin, also opposed the partition of the country, believing it would alienate the 250,000 unionists that lived in the 4th August 1914: Carson and south. Redmond Outbreak of First encourage men World War to join the war

…stand by one another in defending, for ourselves and our children, our cherished position of equal citizenship in the United 18th September The Bill is Kingdom, and in using all means 1914: Home Rule postponed for the Bill is passed duration of the war which may be found necessary to defeat the present conspiracy to set up a Home Rule Parliament in Ireland. A passage from The Ulster Covenant, Edward Carson sign- signed by almost 500,000 unionists ing the Ulster on 28th September 1912. Covenant "

THE HOME RULE MOVEMENT 5 UNDERSTANDING 1917 AND BEYOND THE HOME RULE MOVEMENT

THE END OF THE HOME RULE MOVEMENT August 1914: The Irish After the outbreak of the First World War in August 1914, John Redmond and Split in the Irish Volunteers split Volunteers over into the National Edward Carson encouraged men to join the British Army. Unionists and UVF involvement in the Volunteers and the members mainly joined the 36th (Ulster) Division whilst nationalists and Irish First World War Irish Volunteers Volunteers mainly joined the 10th and 16th (Irish) Divisions. Men enlisted for many different reasons - patriotism, money, adventure, to stand up for smaller European countries such as Belgium - but from a Home Rule stand point, both Carson and Redmond believed that it would help their cause. Carson believed

Organised that by encouraging men to enlist, that the British government might change 24th-29th April by the IRB and their stance on granting Home Rule. With the Third Home Rule Bill already 1916: The Easter mostly involving approved, Redmond believed that supporting the war would guarantee that Rising the Irish Volunteers it was passed. Redmond's support for the war and his call for Irish Volunteers to enlist caused a split within the Volunteers. Most Volunteers sided with Redmond and formed the National Volunteers. Those Irish Volunteers who opposed the war, fell under the control of the Irish Republican Brotherhood. Key members of the IRB believed that Home Rule was inadequate and Éamon de Valera is elected Ireland should be an independent republic. The IRB began to re-organise and 25th October President and prepare the Irish Volunteers for the Easter Rising in April 1916. 1917: Sinn Féin SF commit to the Party Conference creation of an The involved a force of mainly Irish Volunteers, capturing key Irish Republic Easter Rising points in Dublin in an attempt to end British Rule. The Rising was defeated and in the aftermath, hundreds of rebels were arrested and the leaders were executed. It signalled a turning point in Irish politics and society. Previous to the Rising, the IPP were the biggest political party in Ireland and there was 1918 General Sinn Féin an appetite for Home Rule amongst the nationalist population. After the Election: Sinn Féin landslide victory Rising, this mood changed. Many people were angered by the execution of landslide victory and the fall of the Rising's leaders, and began to show their support to Sinn Féin, whose and the fall of the IPP popularity increased as a result of being wrongly linked to the insurrection. the IPP Upon their release, those rebels who had been imprisoned joined Sinn Féin and eventually took over the party. At the October 1917 party conference Sinn Féin elected Éamon de Valera as President and committed itself to the Irish 21st January establishment of an Irish Republic. Republican 1919: Dáil Army wage war Sinn Féin's popularity was also boosted by the 1918 conscription crisis. A Éireann and against Britian in the War of Ireland to gain lack of troops on the Western Front led Britain to try and impose conscription Independence independence on Ireland in April 1918. The British government tried to link conscription to a new Home Rule Bill, but the IPP and Sinn Féin opposed the proposal. Although the legislation never came into effect (as of June 1918, America entered the war and the Allied forces were on the verge of winning), the

Ireland is conscription crisis damaged the IPP and the Home Rule movement: although 6th December declared a opposing any kind of conscription, the IPP had previously supported the war dominion of the that Britain was now trying to conscript Irish men for; and the issue of Home 1921: Anglo-Irish British Empire Treaty with its own Rule had stagnated due to its postponement during the war. governemnt At the 1918 general election, Sinn Féin won 73 out of 105 Irish seats and the IPP - previously the biggest party in Ireland - only won six (they had won 85 in the previous election of December 1910). This defeat marked the end of the IPP and popular support for Home Rule. Sinn Féin's win legitimised their demand for an Irish Republic, and in January 1919 after refusing to recognise their place in the British parliament, established the first Dáil Éireann (Assembly of Ireland). The War of Independence that followed ended with the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty in 1921, which although falling short of full independence, granted Ireland dominion status within the British Empire.

THE HOME RULE MOVEMENT 6 UNDERSTANDING 1917 AND BEYOND THE HOME RULE MOVEMENT

QUESTIONS

Describe the changes made to the Irish Parliamentary Party under Parnell. What effect do 1 you believe this had on the party?

Create a timeline diagram stating general election results from 1874 to 1918 and attempts at passing Home Rule Bills. For each attempt at 2 Home Rule, on the diagram briefly explain how/ why it was proposed and what the outcome was.

Summarise the reasons why unionists opposed Home Rule and provide 3 examples of ways in which they demonstrated their opposition.

Explain what you believe was the most important factor in the decline of the Irish 4 Parliamentary Party and explain the impact on the Home Rule movement.

RESEARCH TASK ICT TASK In pairs, research information on (WORKING WITH IMAGES / the six personalities identified DESKTOP PUBLISHING) on pages 9 and 10. For each In pairs, research, design and create person, summarise their an anti/pro Home Rule poster. involvement in the Home Rule movement and identify one Research propaganda posters from interesting fact about each. the time and recreate your own anti/ pro Home Rule poster. Save and store relevant images and text to create RESEARCH TASK your poster. Using image editing or In pairs, research Home Rule desktop publishing software, combine recruitment posters and identify text and imagery to complete the task. a pro and anti poster. For each Save your new image and share it with poster analyse the elements your class. and information - What colours are used? Why? Is there a slogan? What does it say and mean? What kind of language is the poster using to persuade people? What kind of imagery has been used? Why have these images been chosen?

THE HOME RULE MOVEMENT 7 UNDERSTANDING 1917 AND BEYOND THE HOME RULE MOVEMENT