Home Rule League facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Home Rule League
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The Irish harp, along with the coat of arms of the provinces of Ireland, played a prominent role in Home Rule League literature.
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| Founded | 1873 |
| Dissolved | 1882 |
| Preceded by | Home Government Association |
| Succeeded by | Irish Parliamentary Party |
| Ideology | |
| Political position | Centre to centre-left |
| Colours | Green |
The Home Rule League (1873–1882) was an Irish political party. It worked to get "home rule" for Ireland. Home rule meant that Ireland would have its own parliament to make decisions. This would happen while still being part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The Home Rule League was later replaced by the Irish Parliamentary Party. There was also a group called the Home Rule Confederation of Great Britain. This was a similar group in Great Britain.
Contents
What Was the Home Rule League?
The Home Rule League was a political group in Ireland. It wanted Ireland to have more control over its own laws. This idea was called "Home Rule." The League believed that Irish people should make decisions about Ireland. They wanted a parliament in Dublin, Ireland's capital city.
How the Home Rule League Started
The Home Rule League grew from an earlier group. This group was called the Home Government Association. It started in 1870. Isaac Butt led this group. He was a lawyer from Dublin. Butt had once been a leading Irish Tory, which was a political group. But he later became a supporter of Irish nationalism. This meant he believed Ireland should be more independent.
In November 1873, the Home Government Association became a full political party. It was named the Home Rule League. In the 1874 United Kingdom general election, many members were elected. Some came from wealthy Irish families. Others were former members of the Liberal Party. Important members included Sir John Gray and Charles Stewart Parnell.
Early Actions of the Party
Some members of the party were more radical. This means they wanted bigger and faster changes. These members included Joseph Gillis Biggar and Charles Stewart Parnell. They used a tactic called "filibustering" in parliament. This meant they would speak for a very long time. Their goal was to stop other laws from being passed. This caused problems for the British government. It also made Isaac Butt feel embarrassed.
Parnell's Leadership and Changes
Charles Stewart Parnell became a very important leader. On August 28, 1877, he was chosen to lead the Home Rule Confederation of Great Britain. This was the sister group in Britain. Isaac Butt still led the Home Rule League in Ireland. The Irish group had more middle-class members. This split caused some issues within the party.
Parnell Becomes Chairman
Isaac Butt passed away in 1879. After him, William Shaw became the chairman for a short time. Then, in 1880, Charles Stewart Parnell was elected chairman. In the 1880 United Kingdom general election, the party won more seats in parliament.
In 1882, Parnell made big changes. He wanted the party to be more united and strong. He renamed the Home Rule League to the Irish Parliamentary Party. This new party continued to push for Home Rule. Under Parnell, the party became more focused. It also became more popular with middle-class and Catholic people in Ireland. It became the main political force in Ireland. It largely took over from other parties, like the Irish Liberal Party.
Leaders of the Home Rule League (1873–1882)
- Isaac Butt: 1873–1879
- William Shaw: 1879–1880
- Charles Stewart Parnell: 1880–1882
See also
