Methodist Politics in Ireland, 1861-1914

Kathryn Morris, Nicola (2007) Methodist Politics in Ireland, 1861-1914. PhD thesis, University of Liverpool.

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Abstract

The period 1861-1914 was one of significant upheaval in Irish politics, culminating with the passage of the third Home Rule bill in 1912-14. This also coincided with a period of particular religious influence in British politics, known as the 'nonconformist conscience', whereby pressure was exerted on the government to act in manner consistent with evangelical Protestant principles. This study will explore Methodist responses to political developments in the between the first administration of William Gladstone in 1868 and the outbreak of th~ First ·World War in 1914. This will be achieved through the examination of a variety of primary sources: denominational newspapers; official documents; personal correspondence; and pamphlet literature. It will examine who were the Methodists of Ireland between 1868-1914, and how they reacted to outside pressure. This demographic analysis will reveal the strength of Methodism in Ireland, its geographical distribution and the electoral influence of its members. It will seek to explore the relationship between the Irish and British Methodist Connexions, both with regard to theological and ecclesiological developments and to their political outlook. It will challenge the view that there was a homogeneous Irish Protestant bloc with a unanimous political voice in the late nineteenth century. This will be done through particular reference to the Irish Church Act of 1868, the Education Act of 1870 and the three Home Rule crises of 1885, 1893, and 1912-14. The developing attitude of Irish Methodists to politics will be explored as they seek to resolve the tension between morality and politics and construct alliances to further their political vision.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	20 Oct 2023 12:41
Last Modified:	20 Oct 2023 12:48
DOI:	10.17638/03174766
Copyright Statement:	Copyright © and Moral Rights for this thesis and any accompanying data (where applicable) are retained by the author and/or other copyright owners. A copy can be downloaded for personal non-commercial research or study, without prior permission or charge.
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3174766