Chapter 11 - 1798 Rebellion Flashcards
Explain the causes of the 1798 Rebellion.
1. The Power of Protestant Ascendancy:
There was an Irish parliament in Dublin with limited powers over Irish affairs. This was controlled by the Protestant Ascendancy class as only Church of Ireland members (Anglicans) could vote and become MPs. They owned 80% of the land but made up only 15% of the population.
2. The position of Catholics:
Catholics made up 75% of the population but only owned about 15% of the land. Catholics were discriminated against by the Penal Laws. In rural areas, secret groups such as the Whiteboys savagely attacked Protestant landlords in protest.
3. The Position of Presbyterians:
Presbyterians were also not allowed to vote or sit in parliament, though they were not subjected to the harshest of the Penal Laws. They made up about 10% of the population, and were concentrated around Belfast.
4. The influence of the American and French Revolutions:
The events of the American and French Revolutions had a big impact on Ireland. They were widely reported in Irish newspapers. Many Catholics and Presbyterians were excited by and attracted to the ideas of liberty and equality behind these revolutions.
What were the Penal Laws?
laws designed to keep Catholics poor and powerless. They included
• Catholics could not vote or sit in parliament.
• Catholic priests were banned.
• Catholics could not open or attend schools.
What was the Protestant ascendancy?
Protestant Ascendancy: the wealthy land-owning Church of Ireland minority.
Explain the founding of the United Irishmen.
In 1791, Theobald Wolfe Tone wrote a pamphlet called An Argument on Behalf of the Catholics of Ireland, which argued that Catholics should have the same rights as Protestants. He was invited to a meeting in Belfast that October by a group of Presbyterians who were similarly interested in the French Revolution and applying its ideals to Ireland. This meeting founded the Society of United Irishmen.
What was the original aim of the United Irishmen
Their original aim was peaceful reform, not violent revolution. They wanted:
• religious equality
• removal of British influence from Ireland (though not an independent republic)
• all men to have the vote and the right to sit in parliament.
What was the name of the newspaper the United Irishmen started publishing.
The United Irishmen started publishing a newspaper in 1792, called “The Northern Star.”
What was the impact of the war with France?
Britain declared war on France in early 1793. Fearing that Catholic resentment in Ireland would lead to a revolution here, the British government decided to make concessions. They abolished most of the remaining Penal Laws and granted Catholics freedom of worship and the right to vote - but not the right to sit in parliament.
What did the British Government do in order to ban the United Irishmen?
The British government in Dublin stepped up its surveillance of groups that it considered a threat, like the United Irishmen. In 1795, a French spy named William Jackson was arrested and he was found to have met with Wolfe Tone, who fled to the USA. The government banned the United Irishmen. It became a secret society that was now committed to a revolution against British rule.
Why did Wolfe Tone travel to France in 1796?
Wolfe Tone travelled to France in 1796 to seek military support for an Irish rebellion. In December, a French fleet of 43 ships and 15,000 men under General Hoche sailed to Ireland. Storms ensured that only 14 ships reached the landing point of Bantry Bay in Cork. After several days spent trying to land in the terrible weather, the ships turned back.
What did the British do in order to reduce the likelihood of rebellion.
The British were horrified at how close Ireland came to open rebellion. The Government took steps to destroy the United Irishmen and their network. General Lake landed in Ulster in 1796, with a group of soldiers. They went searching for weapons and information. The soldiers burned houses and tortured suspects. Some were given half-hangings and others were pitch capped. This was done to reduce the likelihood of rebellion.
Why was The Orange Order created?
Part-time armies were set up: the militia for loyal Catholics and the yeomanry for loyal Protestants. The Orange Order was created to encourage unity between Anglicans and Presbyterians in opposition to Catholics.
What happened to Lord Edward FitzGerald? And when did the Rebellion begin?
Most significantly, the main planner of the Dublin rebellion, Lord Edward FitzGerald, was captured in May 1798. The remaining leadership decided to go ahead with a rebellion a week later, on 23 May 1798.
What does physical force nationalism mean?
Physical force nationalism refers to the willingness of nationalists to use violence to fight for Irish independence from Britain.
What was the 1798 Rebellion like in Dublin and the surrounding counties?
The rebels had planned that the rebellion would be signalled by the disruption of the mail coaches from Dublin. However, most of the rebels in the capital were arrested when they arrived at their assembly points, thanks to information supplied by spies. There were rebel attacks in Kildare, Meath, Carlow and Wicklow, but they were largely uncoordinated. They were easily defeated by the British in battles at Carlow town and the Hill of Tara.
What was the 1798 Rebellion like in Ulster?
In Antrim, Henry Joy McCracken led 4,000 mostly Presbyterian rebels into battle on 6 June. The rebellion there collapsed following their defeat at Antrim town. In Co. Down, Henry Munro led 7,000 rebels to initial success at Saintfield, but they were later defeated over two days’ fighting - the longest battle of the whole rebellion - at Ballynahinch.
