Shaping Ireland's Independence

This book explores the political and ideological developments that resulted in the establishment of two separate states on the island of Ireland: the Irish Free State and Northern Ireland. It examines how this radical transformation took place, including how British Liberals and Unionists were as influential in the two-state solution as any Irish party. The book analyzes transformative events including the third home rule crisis, partition and the creation of Northern Ireland, and the Irish Free State's establishment through the Anglo-Irish Treaty. The policies and priorities of major figures such as H.H. Asquith, David Lloyd George, John Redmond, Eamon de Valera, Edward Carson, and James Craig receive prominent attention, as do lesser-known events and organizations like the Irish Convention and Irish Dominion League. The work outlines many possible solutions to Britain's Irish question, and discusses why some settlement ideas were adopted and others discarded. Analyzing publicdiscourse and archival sources, this monograph offers new perspectives on the Irish Revolution, highlighting in particular the tension between public rhetoric and private opinion.

Examines the establishment of the Irish Free State and Northern Ireland, and how political and ideological developments led to a two-state solution Explores the role of British Liberals and Unionists as well as general changes in the political situation and the minds of people in Britain and Ireland during this crucial period Highlights the tension between public rhetoric and private opinion, drawing on a number of archival sources, from newspaper articles and speeches, to private diaries and papers of major figures

Autorentext

M. C. Rast has a PhD in History from Concordia University, Montreal, Canada. His research interests include Ireland, Britain, the British Empire, military history, and political theory.

Inhalt

1 Introduction.- 2 'The Hollowest Political Cant': British Parties, Home Rule, and the Parliament Act, Dec. 1909-July 1911.- 3 'Prepared to Make Great Sacrifices': Reactions to Home Rule, July 1911-1914.- 4 'A Settlement Nobody Wants': Exclusion Gains Ground, 1913-1914.- 5 Home Rule during a World War: The Lloyd George Proposals and the Irish Convention, 1915-1918.- 6 'Rickety Parliaments': Dominion Home Rule and the Government of Ireland Act, 1919-July 1921.- 7 'Terrible Finality': The Treaty, the Constitution, and the Boundary Commission, 1921-1925.- 8 Postscript and Conclusions: Consequences of the Irish Settlement.