In considering the process of change in the relationship between Ireland and Great Britain between 1801 and 1921, how far can the 1886 Home Rule Bill be seen as a key turning point?
In considering the process of change in the relationship between Ireland and Great Britain between 1801 and 1921, how far can the 1886 Home Rule Bill be seen as a key turning point?
In 1815 Ireland was part of the union though by 1921 it was partitioned. The years in between saw group and individual efforts in trying to change the relationship between Ireland and Great Britain. Parnell’s campaign for Home Rule is seen as a key turning point that potentially was the most important kick starting change within the union.
1886 was undoubtedly a turning point as it gave hope for ‘both a just and feasible solution to the problem of the Irish government’. In 1886 the Liberal Party Prime Minister of the UK, William Gladstone, decided that in order to end the problems in Ireland, some action would have to be taken. Parnell and the Irish Parliamentary Party were also in a great position at this point as they had 86 seats in the House of Commons which was the exact amount between the Liberals and Conservatives. This meant Parnell could truly push for Home Rule. Gladstone felt that giving Ireland back their local parliament, which was removed in the Act f Union of 1800, would solve the problem. So in 1886, Gladstone introduced the first Home Rule bill. However, it was defeated in the House of Commons because others, especially the Conservative Party, were against Home Rule which they thought would weaken the union.
Although it failed, the first Home Rule bill could be seen as a significant turning point for Irish Nationalism. It appeared to have brought Ireland ‘within sight of the promise land’ as it was the first time Home Rule had seriously been discussed and the Prime Minister, ‘the greatest politician of his day’ had heavily backed it which meant that it was on the political agenda.
It could also be said that the Home Rule bill was insignificant and even counterproductive due to the fact it failed to create any change between Great Britain and Ireland. Also
In 1815 Ireland was part of the union though by 1921 it was partitioned. The years in between saw group and individual efforts in trying to change the relationship between Ireland and Great Britain. Parnell’s campaign for Home Rule is seen as a key turning point that potentially was the most important kick starting change within the union.
1886 was undoubtedly a turning point as it gave hope for ‘both a just and feasible solution to the problem of the Irish government’. In 1886 the Liberal Party Prime Minister of the UK, William Gladstone, decided that in order to end the problems in Ireland, some action would have to be taken. Parnell and the Irish Parliamentary Party were also in a great position at this point as they had 86 seats in the House of Commons which was the exact amount between the Liberals and Conservatives. This meant Parnell could truly push for Home Rule. Gladstone felt that giving Ireland back their local parliament, which was removed in the Act f Union of 1800, would solve the problem. So in 1886, Gladstone introduced the first Home Rule bill. However, it was defeated in the House of Commons because others, especially the Conservative Party, were against Home Rule which they thought would weaken the union.
Although it failed, the first Home Rule bill could be seen as a significant turning point for Irish Nationalism. It appeared to have brought Ireland ‘within sight of the promise land’ as it was the first time Home Rule had seriously been discussed and the Prime Minister, ‘the greatest politician of his day’ had heavily backed it which meant that it was on the political agenda.
It could also be said that the Home Rule bill was insignificant and even counterproductive due to the fact it failed to create any change between Great Britain and Ireland. Also