1 The politics of abstentionism, 1932–39
-
Christopher Norton
Abstract
This chapter examines the trajectory of constitutional nationalist politics following the decision of the constitutional nationalist party, the National League of the North, to walk out of the Northern Ireland parliament in 1932. The tactic of parliamentary abstentionism is located in the context of increased Unionist insecurity, heightened sectarianism, and raised nationalist expectations following on from the election of Eamon de Valera’s ostensibly more republican Fianna Fail party in the Irish Free State. The chapter reveals how the successor political organisations to the National League were profoundly restricted both by a political sclerosis resulting from parliamentary inactivity, and an anti-partitionist ideological rigidity that anticipated an imminent end to partition. It considers the obstacles this presented to attempts to address Catholic grievances in Northern Ireland. Lastly, this chapter details the attempts by constitutional nationalists to secure their position against more radical republican challengers.
Abstract
This chapter examines the trajectory of constitutional nationalist politics following the decision of the constitutional nationalist party, the National League of the North, to walk out of the Northern Ireland parliament in 1932. The tactic of parliamentary abstentionism is located in the context of increased Unionist insecurity, heightened sectarianism, and raised nationalist expectations following on from the election of Eamon de Valera’s ostensibly more republican Fianna Fail party in the Irish Free State. The chapter reveals how the successor political organisations to the National League were profoundly restricted both by a political sclerosis resulting from parliamentary inactivity, and an anti-partitionist ideological rigidity that anticipated an imminent end to partition. It considers the obstacles this presented to attempts to address Catholic grievances in Northern Ireland. Lastly, this chapter details the attempts by constitutional nationalists to secure their position against more radical republican challengers.
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- Acknowledgements vii
- List of abbreviations ix
- Introduction 1
- 1 The politics of abstentionism, 1932–39 8
- 2 The outbreak of war, 1939–40 31
- 3 The war years, 1940–45 49
- 4 The Irish Anti-Partition League 75
- 5 Deteriorating relations with Dublin, 1950–55 96
- 6 The Sinn Féin challenge and the birth of the Nationalist Party, 1955–59 121
- 7 National Unity 140
- 8 Nationalist Party 153
- Conclusion 177
- Bibliography 181
- Index 188
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- Acknowledgements vii
- List of abbreviations ix
- Introduction 1
- 1 The politics of abstentionism, 1932–39 8
- 2 The outbreak of war, 1939–40 31
- 3 The war years, 1940–45 49
- 4 The Irish Anti-Partition League 75
- 5 Deteriorating relations with Dublin, 1950–55 96
- 6 The Sinn Féin challenge and the birth of the Nationalist Party, 1955–59 121
- 7 National Unity 140
- 8 Nationalist Party 153
- Conclusion 177
- Bibliography 181
- Index 188
