The Home Rule Crisis 1912-1914.

The Home Rule Crisis (1912-1914)

Overview

  • Period of political unrest in Ireland regarding the implementation of Home Rule.

  • Key players: John Redmond and the Home Rule Party.

The Third Home Rule Bill

  • Post-1910 General Election: John Redmond’s Home Rule Party held the "balance of power" in the House of Commons.

  • Neither Liberal nor Conservative parties could rule without Home Rule support.

  • Agreement made: Home Rulers would support Liberals in exchange for a Home Rule Bill.

  • Bill introduction: Passed in Commons (1912) but defeated in House of Lords.

  • Initial Home Ruler concern was low as they anticipated future success.

The 1911 Parliament Act

  • Declared that the House of Lords could only block a bill approved by the Commons for two years.

  • Projection: Ireland would gain Home Rule by 1914.

  • Opposition: British Conservatives and Ulster Unionists were staunch against Home Rule, actively seeking to defeat it.

Resistance

  • Leadership: Edward Carson and James Craig spearheaded Unionist opposition.

  • Ulster Day (September 28, 1912): One million demonstrators signed The Solemn League and Covenant.

    • Promise: Oppose Home Rule by any means necessary.

Organizing Forces

  • Formation of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF): 100,000 members aimed at resisting Home Rule.

  • Significant event: UVF's landing of a consignment of arms at Larne (April 24, 1914).

  • Military pressure: British Army officers threatened to resign if ordered to enforce Home Rule in Ulster.

The Irish Volunteers

  • Reaction: Nationalists angered by Unionist actions, leading to calls for a defensive setup.

  • Formation: Eoin MacNeill established the Irish Volunteers on November 23, 1913, with himself as Chief of Staff.

The Howth Gun-Running Incident

  • Rapid expansion of the Irish Volunteers.

  • Key event: Landing of rifles at Howth on July 26, 1914.

    • Response: Army and police efforts to capture weapons were unsuccessful.

    • Violence erupted: Soldiers fired at a crowd at Bachelor’s Walk, resulting in four deaths and 37 injuries.

  • Response from nationalists: Anger due to government lenience towards Unionist gun-runners; however, loyalty to the King amid WW1 quelled widespread protests.

Partition

  • Compromise to avoid conflict: Prime Minister Asquith pressured Redmond to accept Partition (dividing the country).

  • Negotiation efforts: Home Rulers, Unionists, and Liberals failed to reach agreement on partition areas and duration.

  • August 1914: Government decision to postpone Home Rule and partition discussions until after World War One.