Irish nationalism: from agitation to civil war Flashcards
(61 cards)
What did the existence of an Irish Parliament do and what did it do in reality?
It gave the impression of autonomy. However, in reality the country was under the direction of the British government and any decision reached by the parliament had to be agreed by the lord lieutenant who was in effect chief representative to the monarch. Under this arrangement Irish affairs was often administered to the interests of Britain and its dominant protestant Church.
How did the American revolution have a profound effect on Irish politics?
In the most part this was because of the perceived shared experience that Irish nationalists felt they had with Americans- under British rule and the fact that some Irish had emigrated there for the New World. This connection encouraged many in Ireland to watch the events unravelling in America with close interest that quickly educated them in the notion of republicanism that were being pronounced, and also the success that could be enjoyed in the event of standing up to the British Government.
What was the American Revolution’s impact?
Two particular developments took place. The first is that it encouraged the growth of a more thoughtful and forceful nationalist perspective. Also, it saw the militarisation of the country as many Protestant supporters of Britain sought to defend Ireland’s borders against potential enemies at a time when mother’s country is fighting away.
How did the revolution’s effect nationalism?
In the case of nationalism, successful revolutions in France and America raised the prospect of greater Irish political rights, and consequently ideas of republicanism began to filter into the country. More immediately however, the French Revolution placed Ireland in a vulnerable position as a result of its revolutionary government’s war with Britain in 1793. There was a fear among British politicians that French and Spanish rivals may use the opportunity to invade the country and exploit it as a staging port for attack on the British.
What happened as a result in this fear of invasion?
Loyal-spirited Protestants in Belfast formed themselves into volunteer units of militia in 1778 so as to defend the island in the event of attack. The Irish volunteers, as they were known, regularly paraded and undertook military drills so that they might be ready for a potential invasion, and by 1782 there were more than 60,000 well-trained militia prepared to fight.
What can be seen from the existence of this militia group?
It might be seen as a declaration of loyalty to Britain- defending its borders against possible attack. However, they are perhaps better seen as a demonstration of patriotic sentiment that in fact provided an opportunity to begin challenging British authority.
Who led the Irish volunteers and what did he want?
Henry Grattan’s speeches demanded that Ireland be granted its rightful status as an independent nation under the same crown as Britain. The presence of the Irish volunteers and poor performance of Britain’s forces in America meant that Britain was in a more vulnerable position. Taking advantage of this change in circumstance, in February 1782 a number of volunteers met in Ulster and held a meeting where they passed resolutions demanding legislative independence for the Irish parliament.
What did the demands of the Irish volunteers reflect
It reflected very much the growing assurance that middle and upper class had obtained after slightly less than 100 years of dominance. During this time they had enriched themselves and now sought greater political freedoms that they believed their status deserved.
What did the British do to solve the volunteers perceived threat?
Faced with such determination and in the aftermath of the humiliating loss of their American colonies, Britain, under the new leadership of Whig government, was eager to conciliate Ireland and therefore conceded greater autonomy to the Irish parliament. Known as the Constitution of 1782, these concessions repealed the 1720 act and also reduced Britain’s control over legislation in Ireland to a simple right of veto. In addition, the new government granted an annual Mutiny Act and declared that Irish judges were irremovable, except by parliamentary action. By agreeing these terms Ireland became a technically independent nation which shared a monarch with its neighbouring Island.
How did the British still have power over Ireland following legislative independence?
While the Irish parliament had greater legislative powers, the Irish government was still under the control of the lord lieutenant. He was therefore able to exercise considerable influence over the Irish MPs because the government that controlled the patronage, which they could benefit from. Given this ability, the British administration was still able to wield significant power over Irish affairs.
What happened following the lord lieutenant situation?
To address the situation, the volunteers held a second convention in Dublin 1783. The dominant figure was Henry Flood. His desire for a more representative parliament which which better reflected public opinion, so that the influence of the lord lieutenant would be mitigated, was constantly taken up and later presented to parliament.
How did the British Government react to the volunteers second proposal?
Despite the volunteers military organisation, parliament refused their reform plans and unwilling to use force, the volunteers simply went home. In the wake of this failure, the volunteers as a political movement for reform gradually diminished. In 1784, a third convention was attempted, however this drew only a handful of delegates and very little public interest.
What happened following the French revolution in terms of Irish reaction?
Following the revolution in France, the promotion of republican values in such a violent and public manner sent shockwaves through the Irish Nation. First there was a conservative reaction to the excesses of the revolutionaries from the gentry of Ireland. Then sympathy from a more radical quarter of younger individuals who had increasingly grown disillusioned by the continued dominance of British influence on Irish affairs.
What did the group of younger men mark?
These younger men marked a growing radicalism within Ireland- a new attitude that demanded greater political autonomy. They also felt that such a goal could be won with a union between Catholic and Protestant radicals to challenge the dominant conservatism that governed the Irish political landscape.
Who led the United Irishmen?
These views were articulated by a young protestant barrister called Theobald Wolfe Tone. He made a persuasive argument in favour of a substantially reformed Irish parliament that was directly elected by the the people of Ireland without influence from the British Crown. Following its publication, a series of clubs dedicated to such a political agenda were quickly established amongst liberal thinkers.
What were the demands of the united irishmen?
- Ireland would be divided into 300 parliamentary constituencies
- Every man should have a vote
In addition to these aims it was understood that further catholic emancipation was needed as Catholics could not stand in Parliament. Therefore, additional reform will be needed to provide better representation for the Irish population which was predominantly of that faith.
Why was the British reluctant to change following the united irishmen’s demands?
Following the outbreak of war with France in 1793, Britain was much more resistant to extending further powers and therefore did not countenance any such in neighbouring Ireland.
What happened following the British rejecting the united irishmen?
The reluctance of the British forced the United Irishmen to adopt more aggressive tactics encouraged by the French and American examples. In 1796, Under the influence of Tone, who had negotiated a deal with the French, an invasion force of 14,000 men attempted to land in Bantry Bay in the south of Ireland to eject the continuing British occupation while they were distracted by the war. Only poor weather prevented any landing from taking place.
The 1798 uprising
The attempted invasion marked a more radical approach to Irish politics. The continuation of British domination, despite agreeing the celebrated constitution of 1782, had forced a more determined spirit which was further reinforced by a growing demand for Catholic rights.
The events of the 1798 uprising
In taking up the additional cause of Catholic emancipation, by 1797, there was more than 200,000 members together with a french alliance, Tone coordinated a new uprising in May 1798 in which he hoped to sever Ireland’s connection with Britain and create an independent state. The uprising was not well executed following poor planning despite having 15,000 fighting men. With more than 20,000 British soldiers they were defeated at Vinegar hill. The failure was down to the United Irishmen but can also be looked at the French as they had other priorities in Egypt. When they eventually turned up they only brought 1,100 soldiers and the rebellion did not reignite. For his troubles, Tone was held in custody and committed suicide as he would rather do that then give into the British.
The significance of the 1798 uprising
It cannot be overlooked, certainly it was a failed rebellion, but it nonetheless formed the future of Ireland. It attempted to secure greater independence but instead it drew it closer to Britain. Armed conflict in Ireland, at a time when Britain was vulnerable, made it clear to the British government that the Irish parliament was not strong enough to be relied upon. Ireland was at their ‘back door’, and, therefore in the interests of strategic security Britain needed the country to be properly administered. Following the rising it was evident to the Prime Minister, William Pitt, that direct administration was necessary, and an 1801 Act of Union was formally passed by the Irish Parliament, making Ireland a more integral part of the British state.
What following effect did the Act of Union have on Ireland?
The union with Britain brought with it a new challenge for Irish people. There was a greater sensitivity towards existing laws that became substantially modified by the new authority. The best example of this is the campaign against tithes during the early 1830s.
What are tithes?
Tithes are a form of goods-based tax raised to support the Church and they had been present in Ireland since the 12th century. Paying any form of tax was resented by the tithe was particularly resented because it was intended foremost for as a means of funding Churches and their clergy.
Why were Catholics so annoyed at the tithes?
Following the establishment of the Church of Ireland in 1536, this meant that Catholics were also required to pay for the new Protestant Church despite not having anything to do with it. Although their Church didn’t suffer financially, this requirement fostered a deep antipathy by Catholics towards the tithe on religious and economic grounds- they now had to pay two of the tax. This was subsequently added to when the British passed new legislation extending the tithe assessment to pastureland as well as tillage land.
