How and Why, Did the Irish Question Change? 1900-1921.
To begin with, the Irish problem appeared to be one primarily of land. After the ineffectiveness of the 1st land act 1968, the Irish people become frustrated and with strong leadership from Parnell and the Irish Nationalists evolved into one of home rule. In the same manor the issue of home rule turned into one of independence, also because of the lethargic nature in which home rule was finally passed. How did this complete change of attitude come about and why did Irish sympathies change from home rule to complete independence of Ireland from Britain and with what consequences to different groups? .
In 1900, the question of home rule had receded after the defeat of the second home rule bill in 1893. The Irish nationalists were also split and the death of Parnell meant that that the nationalists failed to have an impact on the conservative government of the time. The conservatives had also used a policy of killing home rule with kindness' which had also helped push home rule to the sidelines. Legislation which they had passed also helped calm down some Irish grievances, such as Wyndham's land act in 1903 which more or less solved the Irish land problem by making money available for Irish tenants to buy land. The local government act of 1898, which introduced county councils to Ireland, meant that power was taken away from landed gentry and middle class were handed over local political power, this gave the Irish some control at a local level, again bringing home rule proceedings to a halt. The Liberal party was still committed, in principle, to home rule for Ireland, however important sections of the party regarded the issue as an irritating distraction and it diverted too much attention away from social reconstruction. They also realised that home rule was impossible while the House of Lords retained its traditional powers.
The Liberals returned to power in 1906, all sections of the liberal party had now accepted a step by step' approach to home rule.