In this chapter you will learn about: • The impact of the Third Home Rule Bill and the militarisation of Irish society • The key figures of the period, particularly the leaders of the 1916 Rising • The planning of the 1916 Rising and its aftermath • Ireland’s involvement in World War I
By the end of this chapter you will be able to:
• Understand the divisions that emerged between unionists and nationalists as a result of the Third Home Rule Bill
• Appreciate the motivation and goals of the key figures of the period • Analyse the impact of the 1916 Rising on Irish society • Understand the contribution Ireland made to Britain in World War I
The Third Home Rule Bill, 1912
In April 1912 the Liberal government in Westminster introduced the Third Home Rule Bill. Home Rule would re- establish an Irish parliament, which had been abolished in 1801 under the Act of Union. This parliament would be able to legislate (make laws) for internal Irish affairs, such as education, transport and agriculture, while the British parliament would continue to control external affairs, including trade and foreign affairs. With the support of the Irish Parliamentary Party under John Redmond, the Third Home Rule Bill was passed in the House of Commons by ten votes. (SEE ALSO TOPIC 2, Chapter 7 for a detailed account of the Third Home Rule Bill.)
