Causes Flashcards
Since when has Ireland been under the rule of the British crown?
Since the plantations of the 16th and 17th centuries and the victory of the Protestant King William over the Catholic King James at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.
What was the Irish parliament like?
There was one in Dublin with limited power due to the Protestant Ascendancy since only Church of Ireland members (Anglicans) could vote and become members pf parliament (MP’s).
How much land did the Anglicans own?
80%
How much of the population did the Anglicans make up?
15%
Who resented their limited power?
Prebysterians also because of unfair trading practices of the British government.
How much of the population did Catholics make up?
75%
How much land did Catholics own?
15%
What were some laws under the Penal Laws?
Catholics couldn’t vote or sit in the parliament
Catholic priests were banned
Catholics could not open or attend schools
What did these Penal Laws do?
Although some of the worst ones were appealed in the 1770’s, Catholics still had no say in how the government was run. By the 1770’s most Catholics were poor, under-educated tenant farmers who resented the high rents and tithes to the local Church of Ireland clergy they had to pay.
What did the Whiteboys do?
They attacked Protestant landlords in their rural areas.
How did the position of Prebysterians cause the rebellion?
They weren’t allowed to vote or sit in the parliament but weren’t subjected to the harshest Penal Laws like Catholics. This still made them angry though.
How much of the population did the Prebysterians make up?
10% in the north-east of Ireland around Belfast
How did the American and French revolution cause this one?
With Irish newspapers talking all about it and Irish troops bringing back stories of what happened, many Catholics and Prebysterians became excited at the ideas of liberty and equality.
What did the British fear?
They feared a revolt would break out in Ireland so they gave them more power in parliament. They also feared the French would help the Irish or attach Britain from Ireland.
