The Liberal Crisis // Part 4

Why did a constitutional crisis develop in Britain between 1909 and 1911?

The House of Lords rejected Lloyd George's People's Budget in November 1909.

This broke the convention that the Lords should not reject financial legislation.

The Liberals wanted to reduce the political power of the unelected Lords.

The Conservatives wanted to defend the Lords' traditional powers.

The crisis raised the question of whether an unelected chamber should be able to overrule the elected House of Commons.

Why did the House of Lords oppose the People's Budget?

The Budget increased taxation on wealthy individuals and landowners.

Many peers were wealthy landowners who would be affected.

Conservatives believed the Budget was unfair and challenged the traditional powers of the Lords.

They argued that the Budget had not received sufficient public approval.

What happened after the House of Lords rejected the People's Budget in 1909?

The Liberals called a general election in January 1910.

They remained in government but lost their overall majority.

They depended on Irish Nationalist and Labour MPs for support.

The Lords eventually passed the Budget in April 1910.

The government then focused on limiting the powers of the Lords.

Why was Irish Nationalist support important during the constitutional crisis?

The Liberals had lost their overall majority in 1910.

They needed Irish Nationalist MPs to remain in government.

Irish Nationalists supported the Liberals because they wanted Home Rule for Ireland.

This gave the Irish Parliamentary Party considerable influence over government decisions.

What happened in the December 1910 general election?

The second general election of 1910 produced little change.

Liberals and Conservatives each won 272 seats.

The Liberals continued in government with Irish Nationalist and Labour support.

The result strengthened the government's determination to pass the Parliament Bill.

What did the Parliament Act 1911 do?

Removed the House of Lords' power to veto Money Bills.

The Lords could only delay Money Bills for one month.

The Lords could delay most other public bills for two years, rather than veto them permanently.

Reduced the maximum length of a Parliament from seven years to five.

Strengthened the power of the elected House of Commons.

Why was the Parliament Act 1911 significant?

Ended the Lords' ability to permanently block most Commons legislation.

Established the supremacy of the elected Commons over the unelected Lords in important legislative matters.

Allowed Liberal social reforms to face fewer obstacles from the Lords.

Represented a major constitutional change in Britain.

What was female emancipation?

The movement towards greater equality and freedom for women.

Included the campaign for voting rights, improved education, employment opportunities, property rights and greater independence.

The suffrage movement focused particularly on gaining the parliamentary vote.

Why did women campaign for the right to vote?

Women were excluded from parliamentary elections.

They wanted political representation and influence over laws affecting them.

Women paid taxes but could not vote in parliamentary elections.

They wanted greater equality with men.

Women argued that political rights should not depend on sex.

What voting rights did some women already possess before 1918?

Some women could vote in local elections.

Some women could vote in school board elections.

Women ratepayers and certain female property owners had limited local voting rights.

However, women could not vote in parliamentary general elections.

What was the NUWSS and who led it?

National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies.

Led by Millicent Fawcett.

Established in 1897 through the joining of different suffrage societies.

Used peaceful and constitutional methods to gain the vote.

Known as the suffragists.

What methods did the NUWSS use to gain votes for women?

Organised peaceful marches and demonstrations.

Held public meetings and gave speeches.

Distributed leaflets and organised petitions.

Used lobbying and political campaigning.

Worked with sympathetic MPs to introduce suffrage legislation.

Believed peaceful campaigning would persuade Parliament to grant votes.

What was the WSPU and who founded it?

Women's Social and Political Union.

Founded in Manchester in 1903 by Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters, including Christabel Pankhurst.

Used more militant and confrontational tactics to gain votes for women.

Members became known as suffragettes.

Its slogan was 'Deeds, not words'.

What methods did the WSPU use to gain votes for women?

Disrupted political meetings.

Organised demonstrations and protests.

Broke windows and damaged property.

Set fire to empty buildings and carried out other property attacks.

Used hunger strikes in prison.

The aim was to attract publicity and pressure the government into granting votes.

What were the main differences between the NUWSS and WSPU?

NUWSS:

- Led by Millicent Fawcett.

- Peaceful and constitutional methods.

- Known as suffragists.

- Used petitions, lobbying and marches.

WSPU:

- Led by Emmeline and Christabel Pankhurst.

- Militant and confrontational methods.

- Known as suffragettes.

- Used disruption, property damage and hunger strikes.

Why did the suffragettes believe militancy was necessary?

They believed peaceful campaigning had failed to secure parliamentary voting rights.

They wanted to force the government to take the issue seriously.

Militancy attracted press attention and public debate.

They believed disruption would put greater political pressure on MPs and ministers.

What happened during the WSPU's 1905 protest at a Liberal political meeting?

Christabel Pankhurst and Annie Kenney interrupted a Liberal meeting in Manchester.

They demanded to know whether a Liberal government would support women's suffrage.

They were arrested after refusing to leave and were prosecuted for their actions.

The incident helped establish the WSPU's militant approach and attracted publicity.

What happened on Black Friday in November 1910?

Suffragettes organised a large demonstration outside Parliament on 18 November 1910.

They were protesting after the failure of the Conciliation Bill.

Police used force to break up the demonstration.

Women reported assaults and mistreatment.

The incident damaged the government's reputation and increased criticism of its handling of the suffrage campaign.

What was the Conciliation Bill and why did it fail?

A proposed bill intended to give some women the parliamentary vote, particularly property-owning women.

It received support from some MPs across party lines.

The government did not give it sufficient parliamentary time and it failed to become law.

Its failure caused anger among suffragettes and contributed to Black Friday protests in November 1910.

What was the Cat and Mouse Act 1913?

Officially the Prisoners (Temporary Discharge for Ill Health) Act 1913.

Allowed hunger-striking suffragettes to be temporarily released when seriously ill.

They could be returned to prison once they had recovered.

The WSPU called it the Cat and Mouse Act.

It was intended to prevent deaths in prison while allowing the government to continue imprisoning activists.

Who was Emily Wilding Davison and what happened in 1913?

A prominent WSPU activist.

On 4 June 1913, she entered the track at the Epsom Derby and was struck by King George V's horse, Anmer.

She died from her injuries on 8 June 1913.

Her funeral attracted major public attention and became an important event in the suffrage movement.

Her exact intention at the Derby remains debated by historians.

Why did some people oppose votes for women?

Believed women's traditional role was in the home and family.

Argued that politics was a male responsibility.

Some feared women would vote differently from their husbands and disrupt traditional society.

Some believed women lacked the necessary political knowledge or experience.

Some women themselves opposed suffrage, believing it was unnecessary or would undermine traditional roles.

What was the anti-suffrage movement?

Organised opposition to women receiving the parliamentary vote.

Included both men and women.

Argued that women's political involvement would threaten traditional family and social roles.

Some argued that women already had sufficient influence through husbands and family life.

The National League for Opposing Women's Suffrage was established in 1910.

Why did militant suffragette methods sometimes damage the campaign for women's suffrage?

Property damage alienated some members of the public.

The government used militancy to justify tougher action against activists.

Some MPs became less willing to support women's suffrage.

The WSPU's methods divided opinion within the wider suffrage movement.

However, militancy also attracted publicity and kept the issue in the national debate.

Why did women still not have the parliamentary vote by 1914?

Opposition from Conservative and other anti-suffrage MPs.

Disagreement within the government over how to introduce women's suffrage.

The failure of the Conciliation Bills.

The government's attention was focused on other political crises, especially Ireland.

Militant methods divided public and parliamentary opinion.

The outbreak of the First World War in 1914 interrupted the campaign.

What happened to the women's suffrage campaign during the First World War?

The WSPU suspended militant campaigning in 1914.

Many women entered wartime employment and contributed to the war effort.

Women's contribution helped strengthen arguments for political equality.

The Representation of the People Act 1918 gave the vote to women aged 30 and over who met certain property qualifications.

Equal voting terms with men were introduced in 1928.

What was Irish Home Rule?

A proposal to give Ireland its own parliament and government to manage domestic affairs.

Ireland would remain part of the United Kingdom.

The British Parliament at Westminster would retain control over certain matters, such as imperial and foreign affairs.

Irish nationalists supported Home Rule because they wanted greater self-government.

Why did Irish nationalists want Home Rule?

Wanted Ireland to have greater control over its own affairs.

Believed Irish interests were not adequately represented by Westminster.

Wanted to reduce British political control over Ireland.

Wanted greater influence over Irish laws, taxation and domestic policies.

Some nationalists ultimately wanted complete independence rather than limited Home Rule.

Why did Ulster Unionists oppose Irish Home Rule?

Wanted Ireland to remain part of the United Kingdom.

Feared losing political and economic connections with Britain.

Many were Protestant and feared being governed by a Catholic-majority Irish parliament.

Feared that Home Rule would threaten Protestant political influence and religious interests.

Ulster's industrial economy had strong links with Britain.

What was the Irish Parliamentary Party and who led it?

A nationalist political party which campaigned for Irish Home Rule at Westminster.

Led by John Redmond from 1900.

Held significant influence in Parliament because the Liberals depended on Irish Nationalist support after the 1910 elections.

Helped secure the introduction of the Third Home Rule Bill in 1912.

What happened to the First Home Rule Bill of 1886?

Introduced by Liberal Prime Minister William Gladstone.

Proposed an Irish parliament with domestic powers.

Defeated in the House of Commons in June 1886.

Caused a major split in the Liberal Party, with Liberal Unionists opposing the bill.

Helped strengthen Conservative political dominance.

What happened to the Second Home Rule Bill of 1893?

Introduced by William Gladstone.

Passed the House of Commons but was rejected by the House of Lords.

Demonstrated continued opposition to Irish self-government.

The Lords' rejection helped make reform of its powers a major Liberal political issue.

Why did the Third Home Rule Bill become possible in 1912?

The Liberals won the 1906 election and returned to power.

After the 1910 elections, they depended on Irish Nationalist MPs.

The Parliament Act 1911 reduced the Lords' ability to block legislation.

This meant the Lords could delay the Home Rule Bill but could not permanently veto it.

The government introduced the Third Home Rule Bill in April 1912.

What did the Third Home Rule Bill of 1912 propose?

Introduced by Liberal Prime Minister Herbert Asquith in April 1912.

Proposed an Irish parliament in Dublin.

Ireland would control domestic affairs.

Westminster would retain control over imperial matters, foreign policy and certain other areas.

Irish MPs would continue to be represented at Westminster under the original proposal.

It was designed to grant self-government without giving Ireland complete independence.

What happened to the Third Home Rule Bill in Parliament?

Introduced in 1912.

Passed the House of Commons in 1912, 1913 and 1914.

Rejected by the House of Lords twice.

The Parliament Act meant the Lords could only delay it, not permanently veto it.

It received Royal Assent in September 1914 but its implementation was suspended because of the First World War.

What was the Ulster Unionist opposition to Home Rule?

Led by Sir Edward Carson and James Craig.

Opposed the creation of an Irish parliament.

Feared political, economic and religious consequences for Ulster Protestants.

Organised mass opposition and threatened resistance to Home Rule.

Used political organisation and armed preparations to pressure the British government.

What was the Ulster Covenant of 1912?

Signed on 28 September 1912, known as Ulster Day.

500,000 signatures

Pledged to oppose Home Rule and use whatever means were considered necessary to defeat it.

Organised by Ulster Unionist leaders, including Edward Carson and James Craig.

Demonstrated the scale of Unionist opposition.

Bassicaly argued 500k people dont want home rule

What was the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF)?

A Unionist paramilitary organisation formed in January 1913.

Supported by Ulster Unionists and opposed Irish Home Rule.

Led politically by figures including Edward Carson and James Craig.

Its existence increased the possibility of armed conflict over Home Rule.

It demonstrated that Unionist opposition had moved beyond ordinary parliamentary politics.

Why did Irish nationalists establish the Irish Volunteers in 1913?

Established in November 1913 in response to the formation of the Ulster Volunteer Force.

Aimed to defend the cause of Irish self-government.

Supported the implementation of Home Rule.

Demonstrated that nationalists were prepared to organise outside Parliament to protect their political aims.

Helped increase the risk of conflict between nationalist and unionist groups.

What was the Larne gun-running incident of April 1914?

Unionists imported a large shipment of arms for the Ulster Volunteer Force in April 1914.

It took place around Larne and other ports in Ulster.

Demonstrated the seriousness of Unionist resistance to Home Rule.

The government appeared unable to prevent the growing militarisation of the political crisis.

Increased fears of civil conflict.

What was the Curragh Incident (Curragh Mutiny) of March 1914?

British army officers based at the Curragh in Ireland indicated that they would rather resign than take part in operations against Ulster Unionists.

They feared being ordered to enforce Home Rule against Unionist resistance.

Demonstrated divisions within the British Army over the Irish question.

Weakened confidence in the government's ability to enforce its policy.

The government had to clarify the position and the officers were allowed to return to duty.

Why was the Curragh Incident so significant?

Showed that sections of the British Army were unwilling to enforce government policy against Ulster Unionists.

Raised questions about civilian control over the armed forces.

Made the possibility of civil conflict more serious.

Damaged Asquith's authority and exposed the government's difficulty in dealing with the Home Rule crisis.

What happened to Irish Home Rule in September 1914?

The Third Home Rule Act received Royal Assent on 18 September 1914.

However, implementation was suspended because Britain had entered the First World War.

A separate Suspensory Act postponed its operation.

The issue of Ulster's exclusion remained unresolved.

The war temporarily postponed the immediate danger of civil conflict in Ireland.

Why did the Home Rule crisis threaten Britain with civil war by 1914?

Unionists organised the Ulster Volunteer Force to resist Home Rule.

Nationalists formed the Irish Volunteers in response.

Both movements were prepared to defend their political objectives.

The Larne gun-running incident increased tensions.

The Curragh Incident exposed divisions within the British Army.

The Buckingham Palace Conference failed to resolve the disagreement over Ulster.

What were the main differences between Irish nationalists and Ulster Unionists?

Irish nationalists:

- Wanted self-government through Home Rule.

- Led politically by John Redmond.

- Supported the Third Home Rule Bill.

- Organised the Irish Volunteers.

Ulster Unionists:

- Wanted to remain in the United Kingdom.

- Led by Edward Carson and James Craig.

- Opposed the Third Home Rule Bill.

- Organised the Ulster Volunteer Force.

What was Sinn Féin, and who founded it?

- Sinn Féin was founded by Arthur Griffith in 1905.

- It originally supported greater Irish self-government and an independent Irish parliament, rather than immediately demanding a republic.

- Its early policy was based on Irish political and economic independence from Westminster.

- It became increasingly associated with full Irish independence after the Easter Rising.

- By 1918, it had become the dominant nationalist party, replacing the Irish Parliamentary Party.

What happened during the Easter Rising of 1916?

• Took place in Dublin between 24 and 29 April 1916.

• Irish republicans launched an uprising against British rule.

• Key groups involved included the Irish Republican Brotherhood, sections of the Irish Volunteers and the Irish Citizen Army.

• Patrick Pearse read the Proclamation of the Irish Republic outside the General Post Office (GPO).

• The rebels declared an independent Irish Republic.

• The British Army suppressed the rebellion within six days.

• Militarily, the Rising failed, but its political consequences were much more significant.

Why did the British response to the Easter Rising increase support for Irish independence?

• British authorities executed 16 of the Rising's leaders.

• More than 1,400 nationalists were interned.

• Martial law and arrests created resentment.

• Many people who had initially opposed the Rising began sympathising with the republican cause.

• Sinn Féin became closely associated with the Rising, even though it had not organised it.

• Support shifted away from moderate Home Rule towards complete independence.

What caused the Irish War of Independence (1919–1921)?

• Sinn Féin's victory in 1918 and the establishment of Dáil Éireann challenged British authority.

• Irish republicans wanted complete independence.

• The IRA, which developed from the Irish Volunteers, fought against British forces.

• The British government refused to recognise the Irish Republic.

• The conflict became a guerrilla war between the IRA and British forces.

• The war lasted from 1919 until the truce in July 1921.

What were the Black and Tans and the Auxiliaries?

• The Black and Tans were recruited in 1920 to reinforce the Royal Irish Constabulary.

• The Auxiliaries were a separate force, largely made up of former British military officers.

• Both were used by the British government against the IRA during the War of Independence.

• Their controversial conduct and reprisals increased hostility towards British rule.

• Their actions damaged the British government's reputation and made a political settlement more difficult.

What were the main terms of the Anglo-Irish Treaty (1921)?

• Established the Irish Free State as a self-governing Dominion within the British Empire.

• The Irish Free State covered 26 counties, not the whole island.

• The British monarch remained head of state, represented by a Governor-General.

• Members of the Irish parliament had to take an oath of allegiance to the Crown.

• Northern Ireland was allowed to opt out of the Free State and remain in the United Kingdom.

• The Treaty gave Ireland substantial self-government, but it did not create the fully independent republic that many nationalists wanted.

What was industrial unrest in Britain between 1910 and 1914?

A period of widespread strikes and disputes involving workers and employers.

Workers protested against low wages, poor working conditions and long hours.

Industrial action spread across industries including coal mining, railways and transport.

The period became known as the Great Labour Unrest.

What were the main causes of industrial unrest between 1910 and 1914?

Low wages and rising living costs.

Poor working conditions and dangerous workplaces.

Long working hours.

Workers wanted greater control over their employment.

Frustration with employers and existing trade-union leadership.

Growth of syndicalism and more militant trade-union activity.

Disputes over pay, recognition of unions and workplace rights.

Why were some workers dissatisfied with traditional trade-union leadership?

Believed union leaders were too moderate and willing to compromise with employers.

Wanted more direct action to secure higher wages and better conditions.

Some workers felt union leaders did not adequately represent ordinary members.

This contributed to unofficial strikes and increased militancy.

What happened during the Tonypandy unrest of 1910?

Occurred during the South Wales coal dispute in November 1910.

Police and troops were deployed during clashes between workers and authorities.

The events became associated with government intervention against striking workers.

Winston Churchill, as Home Secretary, was criticised over the government's response.

The dispute highlighted the seriousness of industrial unrest.

What was the national railway strike of 1911?

A national railway strike took place in August 1911.

Railway workers demanded improved pay and recognition of their unions.

It was the first national railway strike in Britain.

The government deployed troops to maintain order and protect transport services.

The dispute ended with negotiations and a settlement, but demonstrated the growing power of organised workers.

What was the national miners' strike of 1912?

The first national coal miners' strike in Britain.

Around one million miners took part.

Workers demanded a minimum wage and better pay.

The dispute caused major disruption to coal supplies and industry.

The government passed the Coal Mines (Minimum Wage) Act 1912.

The Act established minimum wage machinery for miners, although wages were not set at one uniform national rate.

What was the Coal Mines (Minimum Wage) Act 1912?

Passed following the national miners' strike of 1912.

Established district boards to set minimum wage rates for miners.

Aimed to improve miners' pay and reduce industrial disputes.

Represented government intervention in wage-setting.

Workers continued to argue over the adequacy of wages and the system.

What was the Triple Alliance of 1914?

An agreement between three major trade unions in 1914.

Included the Miners' Federation of Great Britain, the National Union of Railwaymen and the National Transport Workers' Federation.

Promised mutual support if one union became involved in an industrial dispute.

Increased the potential strength of coordinated industrial action.

How did the Liberal government respond to industrial unrest?

Used troops and police to maintain order during major disputes.

Introduced the Coal Mines (Minimum Wage) Act 1912.

Supported negotiations and settlements in some disputes.

Faced criticism for its use of troops during industrial disputes.

Tried to balance workers' demands with employers' interests and the need to maintain economic activity.

Why was industrial unrest significant for the Liberal government?

Disrupted important industries and transport networks.

Threatened economic stability and coal supplies.

Exposed conflict between workers and employers.

Created political pressure for further labour legislation.

Showed that social reforms had not removed working-class grievances.

Added to the wider political instability of 1910–1914.

What were the major industrial disputes of 1911?

National railway strike in August 1911.

National seamen's and dockers' strikes in 1911.

Liverpool general transport strike in 1911.

Workers demanded higher wages, improved conditions and trade-union recognition.

The government used troops and negotiations to respond to disputes.

What was the Osborne Judgement of 1909?

House of Lords said Trade unions cant fund Partys

This restricted Labour Party funding because trade unions financially supported Labour.

It weakened the relationship between trade unions and the Labour Party.

The decision was reversed by the Trade Union Act 1913.

What was the Trade Union Act 1913?

Reversed the effect of the Osborne Judgement.

Allowed trade unions to establish political funds to support political activities, including Labour.

Members could opt out of contributing to the political fund.

Strengthened the financial relationship between trade unions and the Labour Party.

Why did industrial unrest decline with the outbreak of the First World War?

The outbreak of war in 1914 changed national priorities.

Trade unions and employers increasingly cooperated to support wartime production.

The government gained greater control over industry.

Many workers supported the national war effort.

Industrial conflict did not disappear, but the pattern of unrest changed.

How successful were workers in achieving their demands during the Great Labour Unrest?

Successes:

- Miners secured minimum-wage legislation in 1912.

- Railway workers gained greater recognition for their unions.

- Industrial action demonstrated the power of organised labour.

- Trade unions strengthened their political influence.

Limitations:

- Some strikes ended without workers achieving all their demands.

- Employers continued to resist union organisation.

- Many workers experienced financial hardship during strikes.

- Industrial unrest continued despite government intervention.