How Did Parell Brought Irish Nationalism
Another significant leader in the advancement for Catholics’ Rights was Parnell, and his cause was that of Home Rule. Robert Kee writes of how Parnell “brought Irish nationalism to the very forefront of British politics”. This is proven by the fact that in 1882, Parnell established the National League in 1882; leading to over 1000 branches all over Ireland by 1885. In that same year, Parnell was able to generate a landslide win for the IPP in the general election, winning 85/ 105 in Ireland, plus one more seat in Liverpool. This showed a mass support in Ireland, and even in the U.K., for the idea of Home Rule before the first introduction of Home Rule in 1886 from the Liberal Party. However, it would be wrong to discredit the Liberal
Party in this instance, as in 1893, they made another Home Rule Bill, showing that they were committed to the idea of Home Rule. However, if it had not been for the insistence of Parnell, as Key states with him bringing Irish Nationalism to the “forefront of British Politics”, the Liberal Party would not have made Home Rule a priority and Gladstone would not have been as inclined to have put himself in a difficult position when opting to vote for Home Rule. This proves how significant Parnell was for the advancement of Home Rule. However, it would be impossible to speak of Home Rule without mentioning Gladstone, who was a great reason for the advancement of Home Rule. He led his party to support the decision, despite knowing that the concept of Home Rule would split his party and it would bring down his own government, but Gladstone knew that his previous reforms had been unsuccessful in Ireland and the last option was to offer them Home Rule in order to avoid a civil war. Donald MacRaild stated that Gladstone “did not trust” Parnell, which makes it more believable that Gladstone was fighting for Home Rule on behalf of the Irish people rather than from the increasing pressure from Parnell. However, if Parnell did not generate a mass support for Home Rule in Ireland, then Gladstone would have not made it a priority of his to sort. Even if his personal opinion was that of Home Rule, it would have been irrelevant if the Irish population were in disarray; hence proving that Parnell was the most significant Irish Nationalist leader in the advancement for Home Rule.
Party in this instance, as in 1893, they made another Home Rule Bill, showing that they were committed to the idea of Home Rule. However, if it had not been for the insistence of Parnell, as Key states with him bringing Irish Nationalism to the “forefront of British Politics”, the Liberal Party would not have made Home Rule a priority and Gladstone would not have been as inclined to have put himself in a difficult position when opting to vote for Home Rule. This proves how significant Parnell was for the advancement of Home Rule. However, it would be impossible to speak of Home Rule without mentioning Gladstone, who was a great reason for the advancement of Home Rule. He led his party to support the decision, despite knowing that the concept of Home Rule would split his party and it would bring down his own government, but Gladstone knew that his previous reforms had been unsuccessful in Ireland and the last option was to offer them Home Rule in order to avoid a civil war. Donald MacRaild stated that Gladstone “did not trust” Parnell, which makes it more believable that Gladstone was fighting for Home Rule on behalf of the Irish people rather than from the increasing pressure from Parnell. However, if Parnell did not generate a mass support for Home Rule in Ireland, then Gladstone would have not made it a priority of his to sort. Even if his personal opinion was that of Home Rule, it would have been irrelevant if the Irish population were in disarray; hence proving that Parnell was the most significant Irish Nationalist leader in the advancement for Home Rule.