... was ripe to be shaped and channelled to put right the long-standing injustice that Ireland had suffered.2 Not all historians have been convinced by Gladstone's analysis of the situation, or of his own motives. Gladstone's adoption of interest in Irish affairs in 1867 puzzles many of his contemporaries and has continued to puzzle historians. Up until 1867 Gladstone had shown very little sympathy towards the Irish, all his life he had held them in contempt, visiting only once. His 'mission to pacify' was surprising and his motives suspect, which may be a large part of the reasons why they failed. Many historians believe that Ireland was a cause through which Gladstone was to unify his divided party. Others have said that it was in reaction to the agrarian violence raging through Ireland, it was clear that something had to be done... Gladstone declared that it was his "high hope and ...

See this essay or coursework document in full right now