Gladstone And His Government Of Ireland Bills

The thesis has made an investigation on the whole course of Gladstone's putting forward Government of Ireland Bills in 1886 and 1893 with the purpose to analyze its causes and influence. It is divided into three chapters:Chapter one makes an inquiry into Gladstone's conversion on Irish home rule and its reasons. During the middle of 19th, the Great Famine in Ireland gave impetus to the development of Irish national movement. The Irish people claimed to overthrow the misgovernment under England in order to remove the political oppression and financial pillage. The national thoughts grew to maturity gradually. And the forceful energy erupted by the Fenians Rising imperiled the rule of England. On one hand, all the effects of Great Famine provided the initial motive force, theoretical guide and organizational basis. On the other hand, it forced Gladstone tried,to offer some new measures to pacify the Irish grievance. With the new development of Ireland and his consideration to the interests of England, Gladstone realized home rule was inevitable outcome and changed his attitude to Irish home rule finally. So, Gladstone proposed Government of Ireland Bills twice.Chapter two studies the course that Gladstone came up with two Irish Government bills. Gladstone did not make his conversion known to public for the sake of decreasing the obstruction. He hoped that the Conservative Party can carry home rule out in Ireland by the aid of the Liberal Party. But it came to nought. At last, the Liberal Party formed an alliance with Irish Parliamentary Party leaded by Parnell to pursue the target. The action led to the split of Liberal Party. The secession called Liberal-Unionist combined with Conservative Party to opposite Irish home rule. They attempted to kill the home rule with kindness by use of coercion, land acts and Congested Districts Board. As a result, the first Irish Government Bill was vetoed in the House of Commons and the second one can't go beyond the obstruction of the Lords controlled by the Conservatives.Chapter one mainly analyzes the reasons of bills' failure and its influence. In general, there are three major factors bringing out the result. They are the mistakes of the policy application, the power of anti-home rule alliance and the national prejudice and imperial ideas in England. Though neither of them comes into practice, it exerts a great influence on the history of England and Ireland. First, the home rule led to the change of British politics; Secondly, Irish national movement makes the way to two points; Thirdly, the relations between England and Ireland has deteriorated further.In conclusion, various factors which are combined together brought out the formation and abortion of the bills. Seen from the point of view of the development of the relations between British and Ireland, the Irish Government Bills forebode a new turn in the relations between the two countries.