3.1 IRISH NATIONALISM
How effective was Irish Agitation before 1780?
Context
Late 1700s – growing nationalist movement regarding American
republicanism and greater self-government
Demands:
o Moderate – greater rights for the established Irish parliament (IP)
o Radical – home rule
o Self-gov over domestic affairs
o Complete autonomy – became more assertive in the 19 th and
20th centuries
o Divided the population
Protestant and British influence concentrated in the north –loyalist
backlash to nationalism
Independence 1921 not a smooth transition of power – civil war and
country was partitioned (south independent, north under British
control)
Irish Context
Volunteer American Revolution (1775-83)
s (1778- o US under British control
1783) o Distance promoted distinct American identity, encouraging
autonomy war in 1775
o Declaration of independence (Jefferson 1776) – demanded
greater American political rights, promoted republican ideas and
questioned the right of King George III’s rule
o Persuasiveness inspired a rebellion against the king 7-year
war with Britain in which America gained independence
o Raised prospect of greater Irish political rights republicanism
filtered into the country
o Growth of more thoughtful, forceful nationalist perspective
o Saw militarisation of Ireland as many Protestants sought to
defend Ireland’s borders whilst Britain was fighting
Protestant Ascendancy
o Orange’s victory Penal Laws (1691-) – discriminatory laws
against Catholics restricted political rights, favoured Protestant
businesses and promoted Protestantism
o Ireland controlled by British gov, decisions agreed by lord
lieutenant
o Irish affairs in British and Protestant interests
Aims
Grattan demanded Ireland be granted its own status as an
independent nation under the same crown as Britain
End the Declaratory Act
Political freedom
Description
Loyal-spirited Protestants in Belfast
Volunteer units of militia sought to defend Ireland in 1778 against a
potential French or Spanish attack – initially loyal to Britain, seeking
to defend its borders
1782 – 60,000+ well-trained militia ready to fight
Demonstrated patriotic sentiment by starting to challenge British
authority
, 3.1 IRISH NATIONALISM
Proposals blocked by patronage in parliament which secured British
majorities
Methods
Uniform – symbolised importance and loyalty
Regularly paraded, undertook military drills preparing for potential
invasion
Significant events/consequences
Absence of attack debating societies, discussing politics and other
issues
By 1780, British right to legislate for Ireland declined due to
American war and well-organised and armed militia to support Irish
demands
Constitution of 1782 repealed the 1720 Act (gave Britain the right to
legislate for Ireland), reduced Ireland to a right of veto and marked
growing demand for Catholic rights
Mutiny Act – Irish judges irremovable except by parliamentary action
Convention in 1783 addressed the issue of the lord lieutenant
o Flood’s powerful oratorical style demanded attention and his
desire for a more representative parliament was taken up in
parliament
o Parliament refused their plans, and unwilling to use force, they
went home
A third convention attempted in 1784, but only drew a handful of
delegates and attracted little public interest
Effectiveness
Ireland technically became an independent nation, sharing a
monarch with Britain
Secured greater legal and political influence for Irishmen
Complacent with their changes, no desire for further reform
Irish gov still under the control of the lord lieutenant
Gradually diminished after 1783
United Context
Irishmen French Revolution (1789-99)
(1791- o Shook IV placidity – promoted republican values in a violent and
1798) public manner, sending shockwaves through Ireland
o Initially conservative reaction, then sympathy from radical
youngers who became disillusioned by British dominance –
growing radicalism that demanded greater political autonomy
o PA only achieved by uniting Catholic and Protestant radicals to
challenge conservatism that governed Ireland
o View promoted by Wolfe Tone
Advocated reformation of IP that was elected by Irishmen
without the influence of the British monarch
Pamphlet ‘An argument on behalf of the Catholics in Ireland’
(1791) saw clubs dedicated to the political agenda that
emerged amongst liberals
UI founded in Belfast, quickly spreading to Dublin, aiming to
reshape public opinion
Religion
