THE RISE AND IMPACT OF NATIONALISM AND UNIONISM IN IRELAND, 1911–1923
What was Nationalism and Unionism? At the beginning of the 20th
2Define century, Ireland was ruled directly from London. Irish
Nationalism and Unionism
members of parliament (MPs) and lords sat in the House of Commons and House of Lords in Westminster, London. It was here that the laws for Ireland were passed. This is the way Ireland had been ruled since the Act of Union in 1800 (see p. 171). The two main political groups in Ireland in 1911 were the nationalists and the unionists. (See pp. 162–63)
What did each group want?
Nationalists … wanted changes in the way Ireland was ruled. They wanted some form of self-government with a parliament in Dublin.
Nationalists
The majority of people in Ireland were nationalists. There were a number of different nationalist groups.
Unionists … wanted to keep the system as it was, with a parliament in Westminster making laws for Ireland.
15
Nationalists
Irish Parliamentary Party/Home Rule Party
Very popular Main nationalist group
Parliament in Dublin to deal with internal Irish affairs:
Parliament in London
to deal with external affairs Peaceful methods Passive resistance
Arthur Griffith, founder of Sinn Féin, a small nationalist party
231
Irish Republican Brotherhood/ Fenians
Small, secret group
Complete independence
Republic
Physical force/ Rebellion
Sinn Féin
Founded by Arthur Griffith
Small party
Parliament in Dublin
Abstentionism from British parliament
John Redmond, leader of the Home Rule Party, the main nationalist party
