Farrell, Gerard Michael (2006) The Ulster Volunteer Force 1912-4. Masters thesis, National University of Ireland Maynooth.
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Abstract
The aim of this work is to examine the evolution and role of the U.V.F. in Ulster from
1912-4. In the opening chapter the sectarianism that plagued Ulster during the Home Rule
crisis is discussed. The work focuses on Castledawson in Londonderry, where an alleged
attack by Hibernians against Presbyterian school children sparked riots in Belfast and
resulted in Catholics being driven from their jobs. This work shows how the emerging
importance of public opinion forced the Unionist leadership to reign in the militant
excesses of some Unionists. The chapter discusses the damage inflicted upon the Unionist
campaign of opposition to Home Rule by the Belfast riots, with some papers describing
Unionists working in the Haarland and Wolff shipyards as terrorists.
In chapter two the formation and structure of the U.V.F. in Belfast, Antrim, and
Fermanagh is examined. The chapter discusses the military structure of the U.V.F. and
why the organisation was better suited to urban Ulster. In the course of the chapter the
link between big business and the U.V.F. is examined, the focus of which is on George
Clark of Workman and Clark shipyards. The difference in political views of those on the
U.U.C. is studied to show who was in favour of compromise, and who wished to fight.
The role of the U.V.F. in halting sectarian attacks in both rural and urban Ulster is
discussed, and the levels of recruitment to the organisation in Belfast, Antrim, and
Fermanagh.
In the final chapter three major issues that affected Ulster in 1914 are examined.
The failure of Asquith to offer a realistic settlement to Carson in the autumn of 1913-4
undermined Carson’s authority as leader of the U.U.C. The radical line pursued by some
members of government and a significant minority of the Unionist party during the
coercion crisis and the Lame gunrunning is examined, to show the effect this had on the
political process. Lastly the renewal of sectarian attacks in Ulster as moderate Unionism
was marginalised is discussed to show the danger of some form of conflict breaking out if
Home Rule was forced on Unionists.
Item Type: | Thesis (Masters) |
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Keywords: | Ulster; Volunteer; |
Academic Unit: | Faculty of Arts,Celtic Studies and Philosophy > History |
Item ID: | 5254 |
Depositing User: | IR eTheses |
Date Deposited: | 31 Jul 2014 09:10 |
URI: | https://mu.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/5254 |
Use Licence: | This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here |
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