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‘In the years 1868 to 1905, the Liberal and Conservative parties pursued similar policies towards Ireland.’ Assess the validity of this view.

Level

A Level

Year Examined

2022

Topic

Challenge and Transformation: Britain c1851-1964

👑Complete Model Essay

‘In the years 1868 to 1905, the Liberal and Conservative parties pursued similar policies towards Ireland.’ Assess the validity of this view.

In the years 1868 to 1905, the Liberal and Conservative parties pursued similar policies towards Ireland. Assess the validity of this view.

The period between 1868 and 1905 witnessed significant political and social upheaval in Ireland. Central to this turmoil was the ‘Irish Question’ – the complex issue of Ireland’s relationship with Great Britain. While both the Liberal and Conservative parties grappled with this issue, it is an oversimplification to assert that their policies were similar. Although superficial similarities existed, particularly in their approaches to land reform and law and order, fundamental ideological differences concerning the very nature of the union ultimately led to divergent policies on Home Rule.

On the surface, both parties appeared to share common ground on certain aspects of Irish policy. Land reform, a pressing issue in a predominantly agricultural Ireland, saw bipartisan support. Gladstone's Land Acts of 1870 and 1881, aimed at establishing fair rents and protecting tenants from eviction, were groundbreaking in challenging the traditional power structure dominated by Anglo-Irish landlords. Interestingly, these acts were furthered by Conservative governments. Balfour's Land Purchase Act of 1891 and Wyndham's Act of 1903, while differing in specifics, continued the trajectory towards land ownership for Irish tenants established by the Liberals. By 1905, over half of Irish farmers had become landowners, a testament to the continuity in land policy across both parties.

Similarly, both parties resorted to coercion in response to outbreaks of violence and unrest stemming from dissatisfaction with the pace of reform. Gladstone, despite his reformist zeal, passed Coercion Acts in 1871 and 1881 to quell agrarian unrest and nationalist agitation. Similarly, Balfour, during his tenure as Chief Secretary for Ireland, adopted a hard line against the Land League’s ‘Plan of Campaign’, earning him the infamous moniker “Bloody Balfour”. These actions demonstrate a shared pragmatism in both parties, prioritizing the maintenance of order over any qualms about employing repressive measures.

Furthermore, both parties engaged in dialogue with Irish nationalist leaders, recognizing the need to find a political solution to the Irish question. Gladstone’s negotiation of the Kilmainham Treaty with Parnell in 1882, seeking to end the Land War, exemplified this approach. However, the assassination of Conservative officials in the Phoenix Park murders shortly after undermined this initiative, highlighting the deep-seated mistrust between the two sides. Nonetheless, Salisbury’s brief alliance with Parnell in 1885-86, based on a shared opposition to Home Rule, further underscores this point of convergence between the two parties. Both were willing to cooperate with Irish nationalists when it suited their political objectives.

However, beneath this veneer of consensus, deep ideological fissures existed, most notably concerning Home Rule. Gladstone’s conversion to Home Rule in 1886 marked a watershed moment, irrevocably splitting the Liberal Party and drawing a stark line between the two main parties on the Irish question. His two Home Rule bills, introduced in 1886 and 1893, while ultimately unsuccessful, demonstrated a willingness to grant Ireland a degree of self-governance, a concept anathema to the Conservatives.

The Conservative Party, viewing Ireland through the prism of imperial integrity and fearing a domino effect on other parts of the Empire, staunchly opposed any devolution of power. Their approach, dubbed “killing Home Rule with kindness,” focused on improving living standards in Ireland through land reform and economic development, hoping to thereby diminish the appeal of Home Rule. This difference in approach, with Liberals advocating for constitutional reform and Conservatives favoring economic improvement within the existing Union, highlights the fundamental divergence in their Irish policies.

Moreover, the parties differed significantly on other key issues. Gladstone’s disestablishment of the Anglican Church in Ireland in 1869, a move deeply unpopular with Conservatives and a large segment of the Protestant population in Ireland, exemplified his commitment to addressing the historical grievances of the Irish Catholic majority. This contrasted sharply with Disraeli’s government in the 1870s, which largely sidelined the Irish question, prioritizing the interests of Anglo-Irish landowners and displaying a lack of urgency in addressing the root causes of Irish discontent.

In conclusion, while superficial similarities existed between Liberal and Conservative policies towards Ireland between 1868 and 1905, particularly in their pragmatic approaches to land reform and law and order, the assertion that their policies were similar is an oversimplification. The issue of Home Rule exposed a fundamental ideological chasm between the two parties. The Liberals, under Gladstone, underwent a significant shift, embracing Home Rule as a means to address Irish grievances. In contrast, the Conservatives remained steadfastly opposed to any measure that could weaken the Union, viewing it as a threat to imperial stability. Therefore, while both parties sought to maintain order and address certain aspects of the Irish Question, their underlying objectives and methods differed significantly, ultimately shaping divergent policy trajectories.

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In the years 1868 to 1905, the Liberal and Conservative parties pursued similar policies towards Ireland. Assess the validity of this view.

This essay will assess the validity of the view that the Liberal and Conservative parties pursued similar policies towards Ireland in the years 1868 to 1905. It will argue that while there were areas of overlap in policy, particularly in relation to land reform and the suppression of Irish nationalism, fundamental differences in approach emerged over the issue of Home Rule. This led to a distinct divergence in policy and ultimately entrenched the Irish question as a defining political issue in Britain.

Arguments supporting the view

Several arguments support the view that the Liberal and Conservative parties pursued similar policies towards Ireland in the period 1868 to 1905.

Firstly, both parties passed Land Acts aimed at improving the rights of Irish tenant farmers. Gladstone's acts of 1870 and 1881 focused on establishing fair rents and protecting tenants from unfair evictions. Conservative acts under Balfour and Wyndham, between 1886 and 1904, pursued similar aims. These acts were significant in addressing the grievances of Irish tenant farmers, demonstrating a shared concern for social justice in Ireland.

Secondly, both parties also provided loans to enable Irish tenant farmers to purchase their land. This was a key feature of the land reform agenda, and it meant that by 1905, over half of Irish tenant farmers owned their land. This policy, although implemented by both parties, suggests a commitment to the economic well-being of Irish farmers.

Thirdly, both parties passed Coercion Acts to clamp down on violent Irish nationalist agitation. Gladstone passed Coercion Acts in 1871 and 1881, while Balfour was nicknamed 'Bloody Balfour' for his vigorous response to protests after 1887. This shared policy highlights a shared concern for maintaining law and order in Ireland.

Finally, both parties sought to negotiate with Irish Nationalist politicians, particularly Charles Parnell, in an attempt to resolve the Irish question. Gladstone negotiated the Kilmainham Treaty with Parnell in 1882, and Salisbury formed a short-lived alliance with Parnell in 1885-86. These negotiations demonstrate a shared desire for a peaceful resolution of the Irish question.

Arguments challenging the view

Despite the areas of overlap, several arguments challenge the notion of shared policies between the Liberals and Conservatives.

Firstly, Gladstone's disestablishment of the Church of Ireland in 1869 was met with furious opposition from the Conservatives, who were determined to uphold the dominance of the Protestant Anglican Church. This act demonstrates a fundamental difference in ideology between the two parties, particularly in regard to religion and Irish identity.

Secondly, Disraeli's government in the 1870s did not engage with the issue of Ireland to a significant degree, preferring to prioritize the interests of Anglo-Irish landowners over any long-term solution to the land issue. This contrasts with Gladstone's approach, highlighting a difference in priorities and commitment to addressing the Irish question.

Thirdly, Gladstone's declaration of support for Irish Home Rule in 1886 created a clear difference in policy between the Liberals and Conservatives. This issue proved deeply divisive, with those Liberals who disagreed leaving the party and joining the Conservatives.

Fourthly, from 1886 onwards, the Liberals consistently pursued a policy of Home Rule for Ireland, submitting two Home Rule bills to parliament which were both defeated by Conservative opposition. This consistent push for Home Rule, in contrast to the Conservative opposition, demonstrates a fundamental difference in approach to the Irish question.

Finally, the Conservatives viewed Ireland in the context of the integrity of the British Empire, and regarded any weakening of the union as an issue which could undermine Britain’s control of its colonies. Their policy in Ireland from 1886 was therefore to 'kill Home Rule with kindness'. This stands in contrast to the Liberals' commitment to Home Rule, highlighting a fundamental difference in perspective on the relationship between Ireland and Britain.

Conclusion

The evidence suggests that the Liberal and Conservative parties pursued similar policies towards Ireland in the years 1868 to 1905 in areas such as land reform and the suppression of Irish nationalism. However, their policies diverged fundamentally over the issue of Home Rule, which ultimately became a defining issue in British politics. The Liberals' commitment to Home Rule and the Conservatives' opposition created a deep and lasting divide, transforming the Irish question into a major source of political conflict and instability in the late Victorian era.

Extracts from Mark Schemes

Arguments supporting the view

• governments of both parties passed Land Acts aimed at improving the rights of Irish tenant farmers. Gladstone’s acts of 1870 and 1881 focused on establishing fair rents and protecting tenants from unfair evictions. Conservative acts under Balfour and Wyndham, between 1886 and 1904, pursued similar aims

• the acts of Gladstone, Balfour and Wyndham also provided loans to enable Irish tenant farmers to purchase their land. Over half of Irish tenant farmers owned their land by 1905

• alongside the Land Acts, governments of both parties also passed Coercion Acts in order to clamp down on violent Irish nationalist agitation. Gladstone passed Coercion Acts in 1871 and 1881, and Balfour earned himself the nickname ‘Bloody Balfour’ for his vigorous response to violent protests after 1887

• governments of both parties sought to negotiate with Irish Nationalist politicians, especially Charles Parnell, in an attempt to bring about a resolution of the Irish question. Gladstone negotiated the Kilmainham Treaty with Parnell in 1882, and Salisbury formed a short-lived alliance with Parnell in 1885–86.

Arguments challenging the view

• Gladstone’s disestablishment of the Church of Ireland in 1869 met with furious opposition from the Conservatives in Parliament who were determined to uphold the dominance of the Protestant Anglican Church

• Disraeli’s government, in the 1870s, did not engage with the issue of Ireland to a significant degree, preferring to prioritise the interests of the Anglo-Irish landowners over any long-term solution to the Irish land issue, such as Gladstone was attempting in the same period

• in 1886, Gladstone declared his support for Irish Home Rule therefore creating a clear difference in policy towards Ireland compared to the Conservatives. Those Liberals who disagreed with Gladstone left the Liberal Party and, ultimately, joined the Conservatives

• from 1886 onwards, the Liberals consistently pursued a policy of Home Rule for Ireland, submitting two Home Rule bills to parliament. Both were defeated by Conservative opposition, first in the Commons and secondly in the Lords

• the Conservatives viewed Ireland in the context of the integrity of the British Empire, and regarded any weakening of the union as an issue which could undermine Britain’s control of its colonies. The intention of Conservative policy in Ireland from 1886 was to ‘kill Home Rule with kindness’.

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