
Encyclopaedia
Ulster Crisis, 1912-1914 by Chris IrvineThe Ulster Crisis of 1912-14, described by A. T. Q. Stewart as ‘the most bitter political crisis experienced in Britain since the days of the Long Parliament’[1], had several long and short-term causes. In the long-term, unionists had opposed the introduction of Home Rule for Ireland since the first campaign in 1886 and unionism had become increasingly focused in Ulster after the formation of the Ulster Unionist Council (UUC) in 1905. The immediate causes of the crisis were the removal of the House of Lords veto in 1911 and the introduction of the Third Home Rule bill in the House of Commons in 1912. The removal of the House of Lords veto meant that Home Rule could no longer be held up indefinitely by the Lords and could now be implemented by a simple majority in the House of Commons. With the removal of the last constitutional impediment to Home Rule for Ireland, the Ulster Unionists turned to more radical means of maintaining Ulster’s position in the United Kingdom.
[1] A. T. Q. Stewart, The Ulster crisis (London, 1969), p. 18.
To continue reading about the Ulster Crisis, 1912-1914, please click here.
This entry was written by Chris Irvine. Chris is a third-year student in the School of History and Anthropology at Queen’s University Belfast and is currently studying for a Single Honours BA degree in Modern History. His research interests include Modern Irish and European history.





What's New
Hot Topics ...
Have a question about Irish History or studying at Queen's? Have an opinion? Check out the Discussion Forum!!
Latest news ...
- What was life like in Belfast 100 years ago? Take a look at Dr Olwen Purdue's BBC slideshow and podcast on the Belfast workhouse
- Interested in the Easter Rising? Listen to the esteemed Dr Fearghal McGarry discuss the event
- What do you know about the Troubles and the Good Friday Agreement? Check out a lecture by Dr Stuart Aveyard on the subject
- Looking for an interesting book to read? Check out the review of Cliona Rattigan's 'What else could I do?'
- Our Head of School talks about the Famine. Have a listen
- Here's some info for those interested in WWII in Northern Ireland
- Read about 19th-century emigration
- Watch our Professor Liam Kennedy on Canadian tv
- Read about Queen Victoria and her visit to Ireland in August 1849
- Learn about the Williamite Wars
- Read about women at Queen's College Belfast in the early 20th century