War and Rebellion

Abstract

Although there were considerable differences between Belfast and Bristol in the period 1880 to 1912, similarities between these cities become clear when they are compared with Dublin in the same period. Their experience begins to diverge in the years after 1912 as political and social unrest, war on an unprecedented scale and severe economic depression affect all three cities. There was still considerable similarity, but this was a period of political and social change. It is these years which see Belfast finally categorised, much against its will, as an Irish city rather than a British one. It would be wrong to present British society prior to 1912 as being in a peaceful and stable condition. As Dangerfield suggests, trade unionists, women and supporters of ‘labour’ politics were already agitating for change.¹ Social and political disruption was a feature common to all three cities in this era. The Home Rule Crisis of 1912, however, marked the beginning of a period of far-reaching political and social change.