The Peel Web

• Unsuccessful Fenian revolt.

• The Liberals led by Gladstone won the general election. Gladstone's attention was drawn to Irish affairs by the Fenian revolt.

• The Church of Ireland was disestablished.

• Gladstone's First Land Act gave legal recognition to the three Fs where they existed. It provided compensation to farmers evicted unfairly. Minor provisions relating to land purchase.
• Home Rule Confederation formed by Isaac Butt.

• Secret Ballot Act passed.

• Conservatives under Disraeli won the general election. They were more interested in Imperial matters and devoted little time to Ireland. 59 Home Rule MPs elected.

• Parnell elected as MP for Meath.

• Potato crop failed in the West and a near famine situation developed there.

• Isaac Butt died in May.
• Land League formed to campaign for better conditions for tenants.

• Agricultural violence increased. The so-called "Land War" that lasted until 1882.
• Liberals under Gladstone won the general election. Parnell elected leader of the Home Rule party.

• Coercion bill introduced to stop the violence in Ireland, called "the Protection of Persons and Property Act".
• Gladstone introduced his Second Land Act that granted the three Fs and set up a Land Court to set a fair rent.
• Parnell arrested and lodged in Kilmainham jail.
• Violence increased greatly in the countryside during the period of Parnell's imprisonment.

• Kilmainham Treaty saw the release of Parnell from prison.
• Tenants in arrears were allowed to go to the Land Court.
• Phoenix Park murders.
• Irish National League founded that replaced the Land League.

• Reform Act introduced which trebled the number of men entitled to vote.

• The election saw the return of 85 Home Rule MPs for Ireland out of a total of 103.
• Conservatives passed the Ashbourne Land Act that provided £5 million in loans to farmers who wished to purchase their land.
• Gladstone signalled his conversion to Home Rule.

• Liberal party split over Home Rule and the first Home Rule bill was defeated.
• Formation of the Irish Unionist party.
• Beginning of the "Plan of Campaign".
• Conservatives under Lord Salisbury gained power.

• Arthur Balfour became Chief Secretary. Conservative policy of "Killing Home Rule with Kindness" began.
• Period of rent set by the Land Court reduced to 3 years.
• “Times Commission” set up to investigate links between the Home Rule party and the Fenians.

• Captain O'Shea filed for divorce.
• Home Rule party split into pro and anti-Parnellite factions.

• Death of Parnell.
• Balfour's Land Act provided £33 million for land purchase and established the Congested Districts Board.

• The Liberals under Gladstone won the general election

• Second Home Rule Bill introduced. It passed the House of Commons but was vetoed by the House of Lords.

These materials may be freely used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with applicable statutory allowances and distribution to students.
Re-publication in any form is subject to written permission.