Strengthening the Home Rule Party, the 1885–1886 General Elections and the First Home Rule Bill
In this chapter you will learn about: • How Parnell strengthened the Home Rule Party • The importance of the 1885 and 1886 general elections for Home Rule • The First Home Rule Bill, 1886, and its defeat
By the end of this chapter you will be able to: • Assess Parnell’s leadership of the Home Rule Party • Discuss Parnell’s management of the 1885 and 1986 elections and their significance • Understand how the First Home Rule Bill emerged and why it failed
Strengthening the Home Rule Party, 1882–1885
Once Gladstone amended the Second Land Act under the terms of the Kilmainham Treaty, Parnell felt he could move away from the Land Question and return to his main priority: Home Rule. Parnell had gained significant support for the Home Rule campaign by helping to achieve a fairer system for tenant farmers. Furthermore, the brutality of the Phoenix Park murders caused public opinion to swing to constitutional nationalism. Parnell’s party was in a position to capitalise on these developments.
In 1882 the Home Rule Party officially became known as the Irish Parliamentary Party (IPP), although many people continued to refer to it by its original name. Parnell set a goal of improving its strength and discipline. He established the Irish National League (INL) in October 1882 to replace the banned Land League. The purpose of the Irish National League was to:
• raise funds for the Irish Parliamentary Party • select local candidates to run in elections.
26 LEAVING CERTIFICATE HISTORY Irish National League banner.
