3.1 - Irish nationalism: from agitation to civil war:
- Protestant ascendancy - protestants trying to retain their dominant position
- Separate parliament in Dublin, but effectively governed by Britain
Revolution:
- Emphasis on rising against the government
- Taught the irish notions of republicanism
- Raised the prospect of greater Irish political rights
Irish Volunteers
- By 1782 there were more than 60,000 well trained militia prepared to fight
- Due to the absence of an attack on Ireland, they were able to meet regularly and discuss
political topics. Eg. Act of 1720 (Britain being able to legislate over Ireland) their arguments had
more weight now due to the American War and the fact that Ireland had well organised and well
armed militia. (external factors)
- Took advantage of Britain’s vulnerable state
- Britain willing to conciliate Ireland after a humiliating loss of American colonies
- Constitution of 1782 - repealed 1720 Act, reduced Britain’s control over legislation in Ireland to
a simple right of Veto
- Granted an Annual Mutiny Act - Irish judges to be irremovable
- However, Irish government still under the control of the Lord Lieutenant - Britain still had a lot
of input over Irish affairs
- Had a second convention (1783) to change this
- Despite their organisation they were refused, they were unwilling to use force so slowly
diminished
French revolution:
- Promotion of republican values in a violent and public manner
- Tone published a pamphlet - argued for a reformed Irish Parliament, elected by the Irish.
Creation of clubs were inspired by this
- United Irishmen - 1791
- Made a manifesto in 1794 - every man to vote, divided into 300 parliamentary constituencies,
further catholic emancipation
- Use public opinion to persuade authorities
- Due to war in France, Britain resistant
- 14,000 attempted to land in Bantry Bay - poor weather - more radical approach but failed
-1798 uprising
- 200,000 of them and a french alliance
- Failed: Poor organisation, no french support, confined to countryside, 15,000 fighting men
- 20,000 British soldiers defeated them
- Failed but transformed the future of Ireland
- Brought the country closer to Britain. Ireland on their ‘back door’ so needed them to be
properly administered
, - 1801 Act of Union - Ireland became a more integral part of the British state
Tithe Wars (little detail)
- By 1833, 22 counties didn’t pay the tithe - more than £1 million
- Quick spread shows a lot of support and the level of antipathy towards the tax
- Passive resistance encouraged a greater number of participants
- Some violence - property seized and violent outbursts - 14 farmers killed
- After June 1833, government abandoned use of force for payment
- Passive resistance undermined their position, damaged British prestige
- Tithe Rentcharge Act 1938 - tithe for landlords only
- Relief found in the Clergy Relief Fund 1832. British authorities were actually spending more
than the tithe might have brought the church
-Kept alive the general awareness of Britain’s role in Ireland
Repeal Association: subscriptions, ‘monster meetings’. 1843 40+ meetings, 100,000-500,000 in
attendance. Britain was still reluctant -willing to go to necessary lengths to prevent repeal.
O’Connell chose to cancel the meetings - abide by the law.
Peaceful organisation, Britain willing to use force, Repeal association not willing to be
aggressive.
Young Ireland: Younger generation inspired by O’Connell. Demanded complete separation.
Couldn’t build a strong support base, where it could act. Leadership disagreed with how to act.
Each perspective acknowledged a shared desire for greater control of Ireland, but they
undermined the viability of the organisation as an effective movement for change by creating
divisions amongst the leadership.
1848 rebellion:
Followed the French revolution
Hasty and poorly organised
British spies found out, sent 10,000 troops
More assertive nationalist, prepared to push for its objectives. Lead to several minor encounters
with British troops
Many leaders sentenced to death
Young Ireland: Like the repeal association, offered promise but quickly succumbed to the
determination of British rule.
Young Ireland was a conduit that connected Irish nationalism of the past with Irish nationalism of
the future, ensuring its history was not forgotten.
Irish Republican Brotherhood/Fenians: Many fled abroad. Stephens: influenced by Paris, gave
him ideas on how to oppose British rule. Sought to create an Irish Republic rather than simply
repeal the union. Similar to young Ireland, but more aggressive. Oath for swearing secrecy,
system of ‘cells’. Wanted complete independence - more radical. Similar ethos to United
Irishmen, but more secretive. Planned to take advantage of foreign war. Shows new maturity.
