The Unionist Party and the Conservatives were opposed to the bill, but the House of Lords could not delay the bill for more than two years. So Home Rule would become law in 1914.
Unionist opposition The unionist leaders, Carson and Craig, believed that if they opposed the bill strongly enough, the British government would be forced to drop it. They began to organise strong opposition to the bill.
1. What did the signatories of the Ulster Solemn League and Covenant ‘pledge to defend’?
2. What was ‘the present conspiracy’ mentioned in the document?
3. From the document, identify two reasons why unionists opposed Home Rule.
4. Why, do you think, the document said, ‘God Save the King’?
5. Investigate the significance of the symbol of the red hand on the top left-hand corner of the document (See Ch. 8).
6. Why is this document regarded as a primary source for historians?
7. Is this document useful? 234
8. Is this document reliable? Explain your answers using the evidence in the document.
