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British Reaction - Robert Peel and Ireland - Coggle Diagram
British Reaction - Robert Peel and Ireland
Peel
PM between 1841 and 1846, nicknamed 'Orange Peel'
Before he was PM he was the chief secretary of Ireland
Believed that repeal would weaken British defences and prepare way for dissolution of the empire
Peel's actions showed his determination to maintain the Union due to neutralising most immediate threat
In 1844 O'Connell and is associates arrested and charged with conspiracy and sedation
In O'Connell's repeal campaign he organised the biggest monster meeting (Clontarf 1843) and Peel saw this as direct challenge to British authority (threat to public safety and risk of violent insurrection) so he banned it under the Irish Coercion Act
Catholic Emancipation
He believed it would destabilise protestant ascendancy
He later changed position under Wellington in 1829 and played a key role in the passing
After his switch he faced fierce opposition from the Ultra-Tories but he argued the need for Emancipation to avoid civil unrest
The Maynooth Grant 1845
Peel did some underlying reform to address grievances said to be 'mending the union'
Grant was worth £26,000 per annum with £30,000 to help repair buildings
1845 increased funding
Increased funding for the Maynooth seminary (Catholic priest training college)
Showed Peels willingness for pragmatic solutions
Most actions later overshadowed by lassiez-faire handling of the Famine
It faced significant opposition especially from protestant MPs as they believed it would strengthen Catholicism in Ireland
Opposition due to 1678 Popish Plot
Catholic plan to assassinate King Charles II
Left deep imprints on British political culture
Sparked wave of anti-catholicism hysterica
Own conservative party opposed the grants as they were a threat to protestant ascendency and would legitimise the Catholic's churches role in Irish society
Encumbered Estates Act 1849
Allowed landlords to sell off land to pay off debt resulting in evictions
Didn't address deep-seated economic and social issues afflicting Ireland
John Mitchell argued this was negligence
The Devon Commission 1845
Made to investigate relations with landlords
Attempt to conciliate Irish tenant farmers
Wouldn't tolerate even minor imitation on property rights
Introduces a moderate tenant right
Irish Colleges Bill 1845
Meant Protestants and Catholics would mingle in secular environment
Educational needs of the Irish middle class
Met minimal opposition in Britain but opposed by O'Connell
Established three Queens Colleges (Cork, Dublin, Belfast), the first 2 had Catholic majorities and the 3rd was Protestant