Home Rule Crisis

• In 1911, the Liberals (in power at the time) passed the Parliament Act, which stated that the House of Lords could not fully veto a bill from passing. They could veto it by 2 years twice, and then the bill became law. This considered Home Rule a possibility in the future.
• In 1912, Asquith (leader of the Liberals) put forward the Third Home Rule Bill, where Ireland would have its own Dublin parliament for internal affairs while Westminster dealt with external affairs. Due to Parliament Act, this bill would become law in 1914.
• Unionist reaction to the 3rd Home Rule Bill:

  • They were mostly opposed to Home Rule as trade would be affected

  Unionists protested against Home Rule by:

  • Organising protests against it
  • making a declaration - Ulster Solemn League and Covenant - stating that Unionists would use any means to prevent Home Rule. This was signed by over 200k men, with some signing it in their own blood.
  • Founding the UVF as paramilitary resistance, with 100k men joining.
  • Buying arms and ammunition for the UVF, in the Larne gun-running where 35k guns and 5m ammunition rounds were smuggled
• Nationalist reaction to Unionist opposition:

  • Eoin MacNeill founded the IVF as paramilitary force against Unionists, with 100k volunteers.
  • Bought arms + ammunition for the IVF in the Larne gun-running, where 900 rifles and 25k rounds of ammunition were smuggled

  On 4 August 1914, Britain declared war on Germany, starting World War 1. Home Rule became law but became suspended due to the war.