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1. minority group catholics will be the majority unionists will lose power 2 || HOME RULE 1 1.Gladstone believed Home rule would bring ireland closer to britain. 2. In January 1886 the Ulster Loyal Anti Repeal Union was formed inteneded to mobilise support for the cause of Unionism. 3. Then came the founding of the irish Unionist Party. It's aim was to block Home Rule using parliamentery methods. 4. The Consevative Lord Randolph Churchill championed unionist resistance against Home Rule. This was described as playing the 'Orange Card'. 5. When the first home rule was defeated || HOME RULE 2 || HOME RULE BILL3 || DEVOLUTION 1. Devolution means transferring the power to make political decisions to regional goverments or assembles. 2. Tensions between unionists and the conservative goverment worsened in the early 1900s. Conservatives critical of unionists narrow sectraterian views and their emphasis on local concerns. 3. Under secretary, McDonnell's, proposals for devolution involved the establishment of an elected irish govermrent ||
 * REASONS AGAINST H.R

Unionism and the Ulster Question

· They were opposed to any change in the Act of Union(1801) between Britain and Ireland

· The idea of an Irish government run by the Home Rule party filled unionists with horror

· Unionists were forced into political action to prevent home rule being introduced

Who were the Unionists?


 * They were descendants of English and Scottish settlers who had come to Ireland during the plantations of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. The majority considered themselves British.


 * The majority of Unionists were Protestant: Church of Ireland, Presbyterian or Methodist. Their Protestantism strengthened their sense of Britishness as Britain was largely a Protestant country


 * 20% of the Irish population were unionists:


 * Southern unionists: approx 250,000 Protestant in Connaught, Leinster and Munster. The majority were wealthy landowners


 * Ulster unionists: 52% of Ulster’s population were Protestants – unionist support came from all classes ranging from unskilled workers to wealthy landowners

Why did Unionists oppose Home Rule?


 * //Loss of political control//: If a home rule parliament was established in Dublin unionists would become a political minority and could become politically insignificant


 * //Economic fears//: If the Union with Britain ended Unionists feared economic decline and isolation. Irish nationalists had no experience of managing an economy – Belfast industry would be damaged. Tariffs could be imposed on raw materials imported from Britain. Harland and Wolff drew up plans to move to Scotland or England in the event of home rule being granted. Southern unionists believed they would be forced to sell their estates for very little money


 * //Religion//: For unionists the Union was a guarantee of civil and religious liberty. They believed a Home rule government would be a Catholic government which would threaten their religious liberty. They ignored the fact that many home rulers, such as Parnell and Butt, were Protestant. The saw the church’s role in the down fall of Parnell as confirmation of their fears.


 * //Racial views//: Some unionists believed that they were racially superior to their Catholic neighbours. For many unionists the Irish as a race were unfit for self-government. The Catholic Irish were viewed as lazy, disorganised, emotional and prone to bad habits such as alcoholism. In contrast, Unionists saw themselves as hard-working, disciplined, respectful of law and order which meant they could be trusted with government. The stereotype of the typical Irish nationalist was that of a stupid, violent, ignorant ape-like figure. If the Union was removed Ireland would descend into chaos.


 * //The British Empire//: To unionists, the Empire was a source of pride, prosperity and security. The success of the empire was seen as evidence of British superiority. Home rule would weaken the empire and would encourage other colonies to leave it.


 * //Fear of republicanism//: Unionists feared that republican elements such as the IRB would not be satisfied with home rule but would demand complete independence. In the worst case, unionists would be forced into an Irish republic, in which Britain would be unable to provide any protection.

Opposing the First Home rule Bill – 1886


 * The formation of the //Irish loyal and Patriotic Union// (May 1850 was the first step in the organisation of modern unionism. It represented a small group of landowners, businessmen and academics and its main aim was to organise opposition to home rule


 * Despite the efforts of The Irish loyal and Patriotic Union to win support for its 42 candidates in the 1885 election only two were elected outside Ulster for Trinity College.


 * 1885 election: the success of home rule candidates in Ulster (home rulers won 17 of the 33 seats) shocked unionists and forced them to organise themselves. In January 1886, the //Ulster loyal Anti-repeal Union// (ULARU) was formed – it intended to mobilise support for the cause of Unionism.

The Revival of the Orange Order


 * The Orange Order was founded in 1796. It was openly anti-Catholic and militant in its loyalism. Following a period of decline the Orange order emerged as a force once again to oppose the first home rule bill. The threat of violence was seen as a realistic option by some Orange men.

The Founding of the Irish Unionist Party


 * In January 1886, Irish anti home rule MPs (Conservative and Liberal) suppressed their political differences and united to form the Irish Unionist Party under the leadership of Colonel Saunderson. Its aim was to block home rule using parliamentary methods


 * From 1886 onwards Irish politics was divided into two opposing political parties – the Home Rulers and the Irish unionists

“Ulster will fight and Ulster will be right”


 * Leading conservative leaders opposed home rule. They feared that home rule would threaten the unity of the empire and place British security at risk.


 * The Conservative Lord Randolph Churchill championed unionist resistance against home rule as a means of uniting the Conservatives. This was described as playing the “Orange card” (unionism). In February 1886, he made a number of controversial speeches which stoked up sectarian tensions and suggested that unionists were entitled to use armed resistance against home rule.


 * Serious rioting occurred between Catholics and Protestants over the first home rule bill. When it was defeated Protestants celebrated while some Catholics set fire to their chimneys. The RIC were called in to restore order – 31 people died during the riots.

The Second Home Rule Bill, 1893


 * Some unionists argued that home rulers would be incapable of providing stable government. This was confirmed by division in the home rule party during the1890s.


 * Unionists tried to defeat the second home rule bill in parliament. They used every possible delaying tactic including a method associated with home rulers – obstruction. Nonetheless, the bill was passed in the house of commons


 * Unionist fears were allayed by the Conservative dominated House of Lords. The bill was defeated by the Lords (419 votes to 41) and Unionists were victorious. As long as the Lord’s veto was maintained it seemed unlikely that any home rule bill would become law

The Devolution Crisis 1904-05


 * Devolution means transferring the power to make political decisions to regional governments or assemblies


 * Tensions between unionists and the conservative government worsened in the early 1900s. Conservatives were critical of unionists’ narrow sectarian views and their emphasis on local concerns.


 * The under-secretary, MacDonnell’s proposals for devolution involved the establishment of an elected Irish Council. This Council would improve the efficiency of government and would also have control of government spending. Redmond welcomed the proposal. The chief-secretary, Wyndham rejected the scheme but unionist criticism of the proposal combined with the fact that Wyndham was consulted about the council led to his resignation.


 * Some Unionists believed the British and southern unionists had grown “soft” on the issue of home rule. Ulster unionists would have to rely on themselves.


 * In response to the threat of devolution James Craig founded the Ulster Unionist Council. It brought together the different strands of unionism (orange order, Protestant churches) and helped to re-energise Ulster unionism. It also marked a break with the southern unionists.

A Growing Threat, 1910-12


 * For unionists the political landscape worsened


 * The House of Lords lost its veto under the terms of the Parliament Act, 1911.


 * In 1912 the home rule bill was introduced; the Lords could only delay it for two years. It seemed that it would become law in 1914.


 * Unionism was helped by the election of Andrew Bonar Law as leader of the conservative party. His father was a Presbyterian minister from Coleraine. Bonar Law committed the conservatives to strong support for the Unionists. In a number of speeches he implied that unionists should be willing to use force to resist home rule.

The Ulster Crisis


 * Under the direction of Craig, unionists became more organised.


 * A //common oath// (Ulster Solemn League and Covenant) against home rule was signed in Belfast on 28 September 1912 which became known as //Ulster Day//. 470,000 signed the oath, including British unionists. Those who signed expressed their loyalty to the crown, empire and Union.


 * The oath helped to create a mass movement and the British government and home rulers were left in no doubt that unionists would not accept home rule.

The Ulster Volunteer force:


 * The government was showing no signs of giving into unionist fears. The Covenant stated that unionists would be justified in “using any means which may be found necessary” to resist home rule.


 * In 1913 the Ulster Volunteer force was founded; by the end of 1913 it had nearly 100,000 members. It attracted members from all classes, trades and professions. It was organised on a county basis, members were organised into regiments and battalions. Many of its commanders were former British army officers.


 * Some liberals and nationalists viewed the UVF as a publicity stunt


 * The UVF helped to restore unionist unity and morale


 * Extremists could be disciplined and controlled


 * It increased pressure on the British government to compromise with them


 * The threat of force was illegal and amounted to treason. Unionists justified their actions by arguing that the Liberal and home rule alliance was a “corrupt political bargain”. Unionists believed their entire way of life was under threat. They believed their expression of loyalty to the empire would force the liberals to back down.

The Curragh Mutiny, March 1914


 * In 1914 Asquith’s Liberal government decided to send British soldiers into Ulster in preparation for the introduction of home rule. To avoid conflict of interest officers from Ulster were excused from military operations.


 * Carson made public the government’s plans to send troops into Ulster. He then dramatically stormed out of the House of Commons and returned to Ireland.


 * Many unionists believed that the government intended to suppress the UVF and arrest unionist leaders.


 * Sir Arthur Paget, the commander in chief of the British military in Ireland failed to provide proper leadership. In a meeting held in the Curragh he created the impression that the army was about to begin serious military operations against the UVF when in reality only a few hundred would be involved. Fifty-eight officers led by Sir Hugh Gough stated they would resign rather than enforce home rule in Ulster. This became known as the Curragh mutiny.


 * Pro-unionists had destabilised the government’s home rule policy

Larne gun-running, April 1914


 * The UVF had been set up to defend Ulster against home rule but it lacked the weapons to do so.


 * The ban on importation of weapons did not occur until Dec1913; by early 1914 they had approx 17,000 weapons. This number was insufficient.


 * Operation lion: Carson and Fredrick Crawford, a former army officer argued that a large shipment should be smuggled into Ulster. Crawford went to Germany and purchased 25,000 rifles and 3 million rounds of ammunition. Although the government was aware that an arms shipment was taking place – the ship (//Clyde valley)// managed to avoid detection; most of the cargo was unloaded at Larne


 * The Larne gun running was a huge embarrassment for the liberal government. It considered arresting Carson but decided that this would only worsen the situation. Militant nationalists would try to copy the actions of the UVF.

The Buckingham Palace Conference, July 1914


 * With the introduction of home rule only weeks away it was feared that Ireland was on the brink of civil war.


 * King George V held a meeting at Buckingham Palace to urge some form of compromise. Redmond and Carson respected each others position and quickly struck up a warm friendship; Asquith (liberal) and Bonar law (Conservative) were also present


 * The talks focused on the exclusion of Ulster from home rule; and for how long it would exist. Redmond was willing to accept the exclusion of counties that had a unionist majority. Carson stated his minimum requirement was the exclusion of six counties including Fermanagh and Tyrone. Redmond refused to accept the exclusion of these two counties because they had nationalist majorities.


 * No agreement was reached and the conference broke down. The prospect for Ireland looked bleak. The introduction of home rule or its delay seemed certain to provoke civil disorder.


 * On 4 August 1914 Britain declared war on Germany and World War 1 began. Within weeks George V signed the Third home rule bill into law but its introduction was delayed until after the war


 * Militancy had become acceptable in the pursuit of political goals. Normal parliamentary politics had been sidelined.

Carson - Key Personality


 * He was from a wealthy Dublin Protestant family; educated at Trinity college where he studied law; he soon gained a reputation for fearsome advocacy and supreme legal ability


 * He was appointed Queens Counsel in 1889 and was appointed Solicitor General for Ireland in 1892; that year he was also elected MP (Conservative) for the University of Dublin. He was admitted to the English bar and was appointed Solicitor General for England in 1900


 * In 1895 he led the Marquess of Queensbury’s defence against Oscar wilde’s libel action


 * Carson was one of the leading Unionists against Home Rule using both constitutional and illegal means. He spoke against the Third Bill, organised rallies and believed that Protestants should be prepared to establish a Protestant government in Ulster if Home rule became law.


 * He was the first signatory of the Ulster Covenant and in 1913 he established the UVF


 * In 1918 he was elected for Belfast-Duncairn. He supported the establishment of the Northern Ireland Parliament in 1920 and repeatedly warned Unionists not to alienate Catholics because it could lead to political instability. His calls went unheeded.


 * He led the Unionists into the election and refused the Prime Minister position because of his lack of connections with Ulster. He continued to focus on his legal career and was created a life peer in 1921 as Baron Carson.


 * In 1932, a large statue was unveiled, in front of the Stormont Parliament building in Belfast, to honour his contribution to the Unionist cause. media type="youtube" key="LqN3rC8yQP0" height="315" width="420"