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Empire and IrelandThe Transatlantic Career of the Canadian Imperialist Hamar Greenwood, 1870–1948 |
eBook Available
How the liberal imperialist Hamar Greenwood filled his controversial role as chief secretary for Ireland.
In Empire and Ireland, Roy MacLaren recounts the life and political career of Hamar Greenwood, a young man from rural Canada who reached the imperial pinnacle of the British cabinet. Greenwood’s arduous route was first beset by conservative opposition to his liberal convictions and later by hostility towards his role as chief secretary for Ireland under British prime minister Lloyd George during the tumultuous years of 1920 to 1922.
A long-time advocate of Home Rule for Ireland, Greenwood endeavoured to provide Ireland with the same Dominion status as Canada. Dominion Home Rule, however, was not enough for Irish Republicans, who blamed him for the “Black and Tan” reprisals carried out by the British, and too much for Conservative Unionists, who believed he was insufficiently hard line. Eventually abandoning the divided Liberals for the Conservatives, he entered the House of Lords as Viscount Greenwood. By then Britain could no longer sustain an empire which, in his eyes, had been a cradle for justice, liberty, and development.
The first biography of Hamar Greenwood, MacLaren’s thought-provoking work also illuminates the meaning of liberal imperialism, a significant factor in political thinking and policy formation throughout the global empire in Greenwood’s time, which still has resonance today.
A long-time advocate of Home Rule for Ireland, Greenwood endeavoured to provide Ireland with the same Dominion status as Canada. Dominion Home Rule, however, was not enough for Irish Republicans, who blamed him for the “Black and Tan” reprisals carried out by the British, and too much for Conservative Unionists, who believed he was insufficiently hard line. Eventually abandoning the divided Liberals for the Conservatives, he entered the House of Lords as Viscount Greenwood. By then Britain could no longer sustain an empire which, in his eyes, had been a cradle for justice, liberty, and development.
The first biography of Hamar Greenwood, MacLaren’s thought-provoking work also illuminates the meaning of liberal imperialism, a significant factor in political thinking and policy formation throughout the global empire in Greenwood’s time, which still has resonance today.
Details
420 Pages, 6 x 9
21 b&w photos
ISBN 9780773545489
May 2015
Formats: Cloth, eBook
“A fine work of historical scholarship written to a high literary standard, Empire and Ireland brings to life an important transatlantic Canadian who, like many others before the Second World War, made his mark at the centre of the British Empire.” Neville Thompson, author of Canada and the End of the Imperial Dream
“An important contribution to our knowledge and understanding of British, Canadian, and imperial history in the early twentieth century.” Tony McCulloch, UCL Institute of the Americas
“An important contribution to our knowledge and understanding of British, Canadian, and imperial history in the early twentieth century.” Tony McCulloch, UCL Institute of the Americas
The Honourable Roy MacLaren, a former diplomat, businessman, and minister in the federal government, is the author of African Exploits, Commissions High, and The Fundamental Things Apply.
Acknowledgments ix
Illustrations follow page x
Introduction 3
1 Canadian Origins, 1870-1895 7
2 British Beginnings, 1895-1906 25
3 House of Commons, 1906-1910 41
4 A Member for the Empire, 1910-1911 70
5 Pre-War Ambitions, 1911-1914 85
6 First World War, 1914-1918 104
7 Postwar Upheavals, 1918-1920 118
8 Ireland, 1919-1920 128
9 New Men and New Measures, 1920 145
10 A Pussyfoot Chief Secretary, 1920 161
11 Reprisals and Reprisals, 1920-1921 179
12 Peace Feelers, 1920-1921 196
13 Final Manoeuvrings, 1921 219
14 Truce, 1921 232
15 A Resolution of Sorts, 1921-1922 246
16 Postwar Alarms and Excursions, 1922-1924 260
17 Egypt and Palestine, 1925 275
18 Last Days in the House of Commons, 1925-1930 284
19 House of Lords and the World of Business, 1930-1948 299
Conclusion 325
Biographical Notes 331
Notes 337
Bibliography 361
Index 373
Illustrations follow page x
Introduction 3
1 Canadian Origins, 1870-1895 7
2 British Beginnings, 1895-1906 25
3 House of Commons, 1906-1910 41
4 A Member for the Empire, 1910-1911 70
5 Pre-War Ambitions, 1911-1914 85
6 First World War, 1914-1918 104
7 Postwar Upheavals, 1918-1920 118
8 Ireland, 1919-1920 128
9 New Men and New Measures, 1920 145
10 A Pussyfoot Chief Secretary, 1920 161
11 Reprisals and Reprisals, 1920-1921 179
12 Peace Feelers, 1920-1921 196
13 Final Manoeuvrings, 1921 219
14 Truce, 1921 232
15 A Resolution of Sorts, 1921-1922 246
16 Postwar Alarms and Excursions, 1922-1924 260
17 Egypt and Palestine, 1925 275
18 Last Days in the House of Commons, 1925-1930 284
19 House of Lords and the World of Business, 1930-1948 299
Conclusion 325
Biographical Notes 331
Notes 337
Bibliography 361
Index 373
