Irish Home Rule: An Act of Freedom

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Irish home rule is one of the most important bills in Ireland’s history. Though continually rejected, Irish home rule remained in the hearts of the people and eventually gave Ireland self-government from Britain. The Irish people were determined to have home rule enacted and, in time, the bill was passed, but not without a few bumps in the road to getting the document approved.

Home Rule can be defined as, “self-government in local matters by a city, province, state, or colony that is part of a national government.” “From the early 1870s to the end of the Great War – Home Rule was both the single most important feature of the Irish political life and a major influence within British politics.” (Jackson 3) England was in power over Ireland and ruled over its lands. Ireland wanted home rule so they could govern themselves without interference from Britain. The Irish Parliament Party had been campaigning for home rule since the beginning and with the citizens’ support, they pushed for a bill to be passed. “Nationalist politicians described Home Rule as the 'promised land'” (McConnel 18) “It was not until 1886, however, that the first attempt to legislate Home Rule was made.” (McConnel 10)

The Irish Home Rule Bill is actually four different home rule bills proposed at different times to the British Parliament between 1886 and 1920. The First Home Rule Bill is the common name of The Government of Ireland Bill 1886. The Prime Minister of England, William Gladstone, offered the bill to the British Parliament on April 8, 1886. The bill had three key points to change the government in Ireland. The first was in legislative and called for a group of Irish representatives to propose and make laws. The second was in executive power. It plan...

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