Government of Ireland Act

Also known as the Fourth Home Rule Bill. 1920. Act by the British Parliament which separated Ireland into the smaller Northern Ireland and Southern Ireland. It was no act of independence since both countries were to remain parts of the United Kingdom. In reality, Home Rule was never introduced in the larger part of Ireland because of the Irish War of Independence that led to the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922.

Historical Background

During the 19th and 20th century Ireland tried several times to become independent from England and its parliament. These attempts were known as Home Rule and took place in the years 1886, 1893 and 1912. Each was vetoed by the House of Lords but the fourth Home Rule Bill, as the Government of Ireland Act is also referred to. The need to separate Ireland emerged from the different developments among the Irish. Whereas the Northern Irish turned more and more into Unionists who opposed Home Rule and were in favor of a union with the United Kingdom, the people in the south developed national movements that emphasized their Gaelic roots. After the change of constitution in 1911 (Parliament Act) the House of Lords could no longer veto and so the Act was adopted on December 23 1920.

Consequences

Since the Irish South had already - illegally - adopted its own parliament during World War I (Dáil Éireann) they did not see reason to stay connected to the United Kingdom. However, the six counties of Northern Ireland made arrangements to meet British standards. After the Irish War of Independence, Southern Ireland became independent in 1922 but did only gain complete sovereignty in 1937.

Sources

• Maurer, Michael. Kleine Geschichte Englands. Bonn: bpb, 2007.
• http://www.britannia.com/history/nar20hist3.html