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Irish Rebellion (History) (Penal Laws (William of Orange became King,…
Irish Rebellion (History)
late 1800s Britain ruled Ireland, had parliament, decisions had to be approved by king and westminster, kept tight hold on country, Irish catholics unfaithful to king, Penal laws to make them weak
Penal Laws
William of Orange became King, strongly Protestant country wanted all of Ireland and Britain to be Protestant and members of state church
king was in charge not Pope, the government felt that people could only be loyal if they were members of the church
all Presbyterians and Catholics were punished by Penal laws for not conforming
80% not Protestant, no Catholic schools, couldn't stand for Parliament, had to pay tithe to church
all power held by minority of population, few thousand wealthy Protestants controlled power called Protestant Ascendancy
1780s member of Protestant Ascendancy Henry Grattan fought against British control of parliament
Irish Parliament on College Green is known as Grattan's Parliament, still only represented Irish protestants.
Move Towards Rebellion
Irishmen both Protestant and Catholic inspired by American and French Revolution, wanted independence, when all would be equal
Theobold Wolfe Tone, William Drennan, James Napper Tandy, Thomas Russell and Henry Joy McCracken
believed English used religion to divide Irish and keep them weak, determined to bring all Irish together
18th October 1791 Wolfe Tone and McCracken attended meeting, Belfast, saw new organisation formation called United Irishmen
aimed to unite all Irish for a fairer Ireland
any reform that excludes because of religion is injust
reform the people in Parliament
English influence so great the country would need an assembly of the countrymen
Catholic emancipation
new Ireland abolish Penal Laws, Penal laws overtime were relaxed, Catholics in parliament stood
the desire to get rid of this penal law = catholic emancipation
Irishmen supported idea of emancipation, made them popular among Catholics, many joined organisation during 1792 - 1796
Towards Rebellion
first attempted to achieve aims through peaceful means, achieved little, few in Protestant Ascendancy would be persuaded, only way through rebellion
dangerous thinking, Britain at war with revolutionary France any supporters of this were potential traitors, looked to France for help
28 April 1794, French agent, William Jackson arrested, United Irishmen declared illegal, Tone forced to flee to France
United Irishmen went secret with aims for an independent republic, members took an oath of secrecy
1796 and Bantry Bay
Tone tried to persuade French, helped because at war with Britain,
December 1796 French army 14000 sent to Ireland, General Lazare Hoche
possible would have won, didn't arrive, ships wrecked, those who arrived at Bantry bay couldn't land and returned
British Reaction
Government surprised, knew they had a lucky escape, determined to stop U.I
leaders arrested and throughout 1797 paid special attention to Ulster where U.I were strongest, pop terrorised and weapons seized
used pitch-capping to terrorise
1798: The Rebellion that Started Late and Finished Early
1798 rebellion was a disaster, Ulster 7 June McCracken led small uprising in Antrim, 13 June Ballynahinch Down Henry Monroe were both defeated quickly
Lord Edward Fitzgerald
Son of Duke of Leinster, born October 1763 Carton House, Leixlip
Educated in Blackrock, admiration for Rousseau, joined British Army in 1779 against American colonial
Important part of protestant ascendancy
Interested in French revolution, 1792 travelled to Paris lived with Tomas Paine, Joined United Irishmen
He was shot during his arrest and died a few days later
Spent 1797 organising rebellion in Leinster
His plans were betrayed by informers in the United Irishmen.
Fell in love with cousin, Georgina Lennox, Canada 1789 crossed country only using compass, chief of Huran Indians
Warned to escape because his family was so important
Refused to escape on 18th May 1798 his hiding place on Dublin’s Thomas Street was given to authorities
Sectarian Violence
U.I set up to end religious difference, Wexford sectarian massacres, 25 May 38 suspect U.I executed by British without trial in Carnew
36 prisoners similar fate at Dunlavin Green Wicklow
New Ross 200 Protestants murdered at village of Scullabogue by rebels
93 Protestants prisoners murdered at Wexford bridge by rebels, Ulster Presbyterians couldn't trust Catholics
Rebellion staggers on
battle of vinegar hill over in June 1798 all hopes for successful rebellion were over
August 1798 french fleet commanded by General Humbert landed at Killala Mayo
French gained locla support, defeated British at castlebar and then were defeated at Ballinamuch Longford
Wexford
only significant success of Rebellion Wexford, came at a price, disastrous both to U.I and hopes of uniting Protestants and Catholcics
unplanned and provoked by militia loyal to king
militia containing Catholics used terrorising tactics to break spirit, opposite effect, people with no interest were outraged and rebelled
began in Boulavogue May 1798, local priest Father John Murphy, support by county folks, captured Enniscorthy and Wexford
main camp Vinegar hill, Protestant U.I Bagenel Harvey became leader, extend rebellion out of wexford, attempts foiled
eventually trapped, defeated by General Lake 21st of June 1798, lasted less than a month
End of rebellion / Wolfe Tone
1798 rebellion was a disaster, disorganised, British defeated small rebellions, end in November 1798
Tone desperate attempt to continue fighting, French fleet off Donegal, defeated at Lough Swilly, OTne arrested, sentenced to death, commited suicide
Effects of 1798 Rebellion
Act of Union, law 1 January 1801, Irish MP's had to sit at Westminster, instead of breaking ties with Britain it strengthened them
Protestants in Ulster couldn't trust catholics,Orange Order, promote distrust of Catholics became popular 50 years after