MAKING HISTORY


The Parliamentary Tradition in Irish Politics


What was the significance of Carson’s contribution to the parliamentary tradition?


1. Edward Carson was unionist MP for Trinity College, Dublin. He believed that Ireland would be better off in union with Britain.


2. He became leader of the Ulster unionist opposition to Home Rule at a crucial time.


3. He wanted to use that opposition to prevent Home Rule for any part of Ireland. ● He was prepared to use both parliamentary means and threats of violence and civil war to achieve his aim.


4. His leadership was based on his ability as a speaker and his connections with the British Conservative Party. He toured the Ulster counties and gave inspiring speeches before huge crowds.


5. He complemented the organisational ability of James Craig.


6. Carson led the unionists when they organised: ● demonstrations against Home Rule ● the Ulster Solemn League and Covenant ● the Ulster Volunteer Force ● the import of arms and ammunition in Larne


7. His no compromise attitude to Home Rule, the determination of Ulster resistance and the backing of the Conservative Party led to six Ulster counties forming their own parliament and government under the Government of Ireland Act, 1920 (see pp. 241–43).


8. Carson’s hope of using Ulster unionist opposition to prevent Home Rule for any part of Ireland had failed. He had moved from being an ‘all-Ireland unionist’ to seeing a separate Ulster parliament (or partition) as a practical or realistic solution to the crisis in Ireland.


You have a choice of studying any two parliamentary leaders – Daniel O’Connell p. 207, C. S. Parnell p. 213, Edward Carson and John Redmond


Further information on Edward Carson is available online and in the eBook.


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