18 PAGES AND 8000 WORD DOCUMENT.
Detailed notes split into bullet points on the successes and failures of each figure/organisation and government as needed for the exam in chronological order.
Provides highly detailed well-thought out arguments for high marks in the exam and references to histor...
Booklet one: From French wars to act of Union:
Theobald Wolfe Tone – Protestant Lawyer (1763-1798) Leader of the
United Irishmen. Aims:
o Pressed for a genuinely reformed Irish parliament which
represented Catholics and Protestants on an equal basis.
o Wolfe-Tone wanted to unite all Irishmen under one common cause
and eradicate any sectarian conflicts.
Successes:
o Wolfe Tone also became a secretary of the Catholic Committee which
was a body dedicated to pressing for greater political rights for
Catholics. Catholics were given the right to vote in 1793 as they were
under pressure due to the impending war with France.
o Believe to have over 100,000 members (underground organisation).
o Committed suicide in prison – died for the Irish cause = a martyr/folk
hero.
Limitations:
o Uniting all Irish people = never that realistic. By the middle of the
1790s sectarian clashes were growing, for example, Peep O’ Day
Boys fighting Catholics in Ulster over Catholics been given the right to
vote.
o Highlights how far Wolfe-Tone and many of his supporters (middle-class,
enlightenment figures, protestant) were from either the Catholic
peasantry or northern Presbyterians. Limited target audience =
limits the spread of the rebellion.
o In 1796, the Bantry Bay expedition took place. 43 French ships –
hampered by storms and unable to land due to poor weather.
o Protestant yeomanry were given more powers to repress the Irish
population – provoked the UI uprising in 1798. Rebellion occurred in
Ulster, in the west and in Leinster (only substantial here). Was too
limited and poorly supported.
o Yeomanry responded with a “scorched earth” policy against
Catholics.
o In Wexford it turned into Catholics murdering Protestants = exactly
the sectarian conflict the United Irishmen were morally opposed to.
o Wasn’t supported by the Catholic clergy in Ireland, particularly the
bishops due to the enlightenment influences, promoted beliefs
based on science and ideas which can be physically proven = threatens
their influence and their ideals.
o Further French invasions followed in 1798 – wasn’t timed with the
rebellion = poor coordination. Only a force of 1000.
Booklet 2: The act of Union – Ireland 1798 to 1801:
William Pitt (The Younger): Tory (1791-1801) & (1804-1806)
“Ireland is like a ship on fire. It must be extinguished or cut adrift” – William
Pitt the younger.
,Aims:
o Believed in union between Britain and Ireland – thought Ireland was a
danger to both Kingdoms and the best way to calm the situation was
to abolish the Irish Parliament.
o Believed that Emancipation must accompany union as to be
successful, union had to have the support of the whole of the
population.
Why was union passed?:
o Parliament of the Protestant Ascendancy – made little difference to the
Catholic population (especially the bishops) as it did not represent
the Irish nation at all.
o The promise of Catholic Emancipation – gained the support of the
bench of Roman Catholic Bishops. An independent Irish parliament
would never support this – in the minority and would be a direct
threat to the Protestant Ascendancy in Ireland. Wouldn’t apply in a
British context as Catholics are not in a majority.
o Greater authority for leading Catholic figures in the future in the
eyes of the Catholic bishops. They also feared anti-religious/ French
influenced ideas exemplified in Wolfe-Tone.
o Protestant Ascendancy came to see union as their best defence
against Catholics. Had the most profound impact on the Protestant
Ascendancy.
o Castlereagh argued economic advantages of Union (particularly in
Ulster where the linen industry would benefit from closer links with
London).
o In January 1799 – union defeated in Irish parliament by 111 votes to
106. With the strong backing of parliament, Castlereagh used
patronage to essentially bribe people to resign and in February 1800
– Pitt had his majority.
Successes of Pitt/Union:
o Free trade between Britain and Ireland, mainly beneficial towards the
bigger economy.
o Passed Union, his main aim of his policies towards Ireland.
o His resignation appeared to show his commitment to
emancipation as well as union, but he will hold office again sixteen
months later.
Failures of Pitt/Union:
o The act was NOT accompanied by Catholic Emancipation.
George III threatened to use royal veto if emancipation went
through parliament as he thought it went against his coronation oath.
o The failure to pass emancipation made the catholic hierarchy feel
betrayed and as if they had been used.
, o Quickly came to be seen as a Protestant measure to protect
protestant interests. In the long run, to be Catholic was to be Irish
and anti-union and to be protestant was to be British and pro-union.
o Economic burden for Ireland – Ireland was responsible for 12% of the
war debts for the war with the French which would continue for
significantly over a decade. Only area to develop economically was
Ulster = widened divisions.
o Own Irish executive meant Ireland was governed like a colony and
was a symbol of the continued dominance of the Protestant
ascendancy.
o The power continued to rest with the same sort of people as before.
o Union in many ways was never followed through, Ireland continued
to be governed as a “half alien dependency” – JC Beckett.
Booklet 3: Emmet’s Rebellion 1803:
Robert Emmet – middle-class Protestant (1778-1803). Involved in the
United Irishmen rebellion.
“Let no man write my epitaph”. – Robert Emmet awaiting his
execution, Dublin 1803.
Aims:
o Continue the mission of the United Irishmen (was a close friend of
Wolfe Tone).
o Recapture the French’s interests in Ireland.
o Capture Dublin Castle and other key places in Dublin – hoped this
would trigger a nationwide rebellion.
Successes:
o An inspiration – made inspiration speeches from the dock before
his execution.
o An Irish folk hero/martyr. An inspiration for the Young Ireland
movement.
o His 1803 proclamation acted as a model for later rebellions, it was used
by the 1916 Easter Rebels.
Failures:
o Explosion at one of his secret arms depots – had to move the date of
the revolt = caused considerable confusion on when it was to be
launched.
o Rebellion began on July 23rd, 1803, action was limited to the
Thomas Street area of Dublin, more of a riot than a rebellion.
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