Lesson 2 History of Political System of Ireland 2014
Ireland in 1900
Ireland was part of the British Empire.
A Chief Secretary managed daily operations, residing in Phoenix Park.
The Viceroy represented the Crown, also living in the Park.
Nationalists:
Believed in an independent Irish Parliament.
Predominantly Catholic.
Unionists:
Supported continued union with Great Britain.
Mostly Protestant, living in Northeast Ireland, descended from settlers from the 16th/17th-century Plantations.
Nationalist Divisions
Nationalists were not uniform; they were divided into two main groups:
Constitutional Nationalists:
Desired a distinct Parliament but accepted a British monarch as Head of State.
Supported the Home Rule Party.
Republicans:
Aimed to sever all ties with Britain, advocating for violent measures if necessary.
Formed the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB), waiting for Britain's involvement in a major war for rebellion.
The Rise of the Home Rule Party
By 1910, Irish Nationalists had significant influence in the British Parliament.
Home Rule Party secured 80 seats in 1910 elections.
Liberals and Conservatives needed Home Rule Party support to govern, leading to demands for Home Rule.
John Redmond was the leader of the Irish Home Rule Party.
Sinn Féin's Emergence
Founded in 1905 by Arthur Griffith in Dublin.
Advocated for Irish MPs to reject the House of Commons and establish an independent Parliament in Dublin.
Initially garnered limited support, as many believed Home Rule was close at hand.
The Labour Movement
Early 20th-century Dublin had poor living conditions, with 75% of workers unskilled.
Trade Unions represented skilled workers only.
James Larkin advocated for workers' rights through peaceful means, while James Connolly believed in armed revolution.
Together, they founded the Irish Labour Party in 1912.
Following the 1913 Lockout, Connolly created the Irish Citizens’ Army for worker protection, influencing the 1916 Rising.
Home Rule Developments
A new Home Rule Bill was introduced in 1912, passed by the House of Commons, but delayed by the House of Lords.
Unionists opposed this, preparing for potential violence.
Supporters of Home Rule formed the Irish Volunteer Force to defend their interests, leading to near civil war.
Discussed compromise involved partitioning the country, but was shelved by WWI outbreak.
WWI and Home Rule
The Third Home Rule Act was passed in September 1914 but was suspended due to the war.
Irish Parliamentary leaders supported the British war effort, while the Irish Volunteers split, with some joining the National Volunteers.
Britain attempted to implement Home Rule again during the war.
Political Upheaval 1916-1921
This period involved significant political violence leading to the partition of Ireland and independence for 26 counties.
The Easter Rising in 1916 initially saw limited support but led to a surge in sympathy for rebels post-execution.
Sinn Féin won three-quarters of Irish seats in the December 1918 elections, solidifying its position.
War of Independence
From 1919 to 1921, the Irish Republican Army (IRA) led by Michael Collins conducted guerrilla warfare against Britain for independence.
The Fourth Government of Ireland Act 1920 proposed Home Rule but partitioned Ireland into "Northern" and "Southern Ireland."
A truce was established in July 1921, halting active conflict.
The Anglo-Irish Treaty
Signed in December 1921, the Treaty abolished the Irish Republic and created the Irish Free State, a self-governing Dominion similar to Canada.
Northern Ireland opted out of the Free State, remaining part of the UK.
The Treaty led to the formal declaration of the Irish Free State in 1922 and subsequent tensions between pro- and anti-Treaty factions.
Irish Civil War
The division created by the Treaty led to the Irish Civil War between anti-Treaty and pro-Treaty factions from 1922 to 1923.
The pro-Treaty government prevailed, leading to multiple executions of anti-Treaty forces.
Establishment of the Irish Free State
Fianna Fáil, led by Éamon de Valera, peacefully took power after winning the 1932 election, marking acceptance of the Free State.
Challenges included high unemployment and significant emigration, decreasing the population to 2.7 million by 1961.
Influence of the Catholic Church
The Catholic Church strongly influenced Irish political and social life, enforcing conservative policies against divorce, contraception, and abortion.
By the 1960s, the Protestant population significantly declined due to emigration and social changes post-partition.
Protestants in the Irish State
Many Protestants left Ireland during the 1920s, feeling unwelcome in a Catholic-dominated environment.
The Catholic decree, Ne Temere, dictated the upbringing of children in Protestant-Catholic marriages as Catholic.
Post-1945, Protestant emigration decreased as they integrated into Irish society.
The Irish Constitution (1937)
A new Constitution established the state as Ireland (Éire) in 1937; neutrality maintained during WWII preserved relative stability.
The war prompted resource prioritization, particularly peat production.
Declaring a Republic (1949)
In 1949, Ireland was officially declared a republic, leaving the British Commonwealth.
The 1960s saw economic reforms under Taoiseach Seán Lemass and focus on European Economic Community (EEC) membership, achieved in 1973.
Economic Challenges and Changes (1970-1990)
The 1970s faced stagnation due to global economic issues and The Troubles in Northern Ireland.
The 1979 establishment of the Irish Pound created a break with sterling.
The late 1980s witnessed economic recovery, referred to as the Celtic Tiger, driven by significant foreign investment, leading to mass immigration in the late 1990s.
Societal Changes in the 1990s
Liberal social policies emerged; divorce was legalized, homosexuality decriminalized, and limited abortion was permitted by the Supreme Court.
Major scandals within the Catholic Church coincided with declining religious attendance and widespread investigations into political and clerical malpractice.
Economic Recession of the 2000s
The decade was marked by a significant recession due to poor financial decisions by the government.
Emigration resurfaced as a significant societal element, alongside substantial immigration, leading to the largest population in Irish history: 4.6 million.