Irish rebellion and union

Question 1

What was a presbyterian?

Answer 1

Part of a broader group of dissenters that were widespread in Scotland. There was also a strong, small community in Belfast

Question 2

How long had Ireland been under British rule?

Answer 2

Since before the 17th century

Question 3

What was Ireland’s social composition?

Answer 3

The majority of the population were Catholics and belonged to the peasant class

Question 4

Who was most of Ireland’s land granted to?

Answer 4

English Protestant settlers

Question 5

What happened to most of the Irish under British rule?

Answer 5

They became tenants of largely absentee landlords, who were members of the aristocracy

Question 6

What happened in 1782 after unrest in Ireland?

Answer 6

The Irish parliament was granted legislative independence

Question 7

Why was there very little Irish autonomy, even after legislative independence had been granted?

Answer 7

• Parlaiment was still largely dominated by the Anglican ascendancy
• Irish administration was still controlled by England throught the Lord Lieutenant
• Catholics were still excluded and denied civil rights
• The Presbyterians were denied civil rights and their businesses were hampered by unfair trading restrictions and taxation

Question 8

What impact did the French Revolution have on Ireland?

Answer 8

Encouraged Irish Catholics and Presbyterians to demand reform

Question 9

What was formed in October 1791?

Answer 9

The society of united irishmen; their aim was to estabish democracy in Ireland through parliamentary reformand to seek equal rights for men of all religions

Question 10

Who was Wolfe Tone?

Answer 10

A talented barrister from Dublin who acted as one of the founders of the society of united irishmen. He believed the ascendancy if presbyterians were to gain the freedom to properly pursue their own interests. He proposed that Catholis and Presbyterians wrok together to pursue their political rights. His ultimate desire was for a complete separation from England

Question 11

What was Pitt’s response to the society of united irishmen?

Answer 11

He attempted to dampen Catholic enthusiasm for the movementby persuading the Dublin parliamnet to pass the Catholic relief act in 1793, which allowed Catholics the right to vote, but not to become MPs

Question 12

What developed in 1795?

Answer 12

A half thought-through attempt to introduce full catholic emancipation in 1795 was opposed by the King and subsequently dropped. This appeared to stoke up old tensions between cathlics and protestants, while at the same time adding fuel to the determination of the united irishmen for an independent Ireland

Question 13

What was Wolfe Tone involved in in 1797-98?

Answer 13

He was involved in plotting French landings in Ireland to overthrow the government. The attacks failed and Tone was captured; on shore the poorly organised, poorly armed rebellion by the united irishmen, supported by the peasantry, was overwhelmed by government troops

Question 14

What happened to Wolfe Tone after his capture?

Answer 14

He cut his throat in prison before his trial and died a few days later

Question 15

What did Wolfe Tone’s attempt at a French invasion make clear to Pitt?

Answer 15

That the protestant-dominated Irish parliament could no longer maintain stability, and this was the catalyst to carry out his plan for an act of union with Ireland

Question 16

What was Catholic emancipation?

Answer 16

Restrictions existed on the rights and religious freedoms of Roman Catholics. These were imposed by the Test Act in 1763 and excluded both Catholics and Protestant Non Conformists from holding public office, voting or serving in parliament. After 1800 agitation grew for the repeal of the test acts against the non conformists, to formalise what was already normal practise, but there was an unwillingness to remove the disabilities from Catholics. There was only a minority Catholic community in England and Scotland, but in Ireland, where 90% of the population was Catholic, discrimination against the Catholics was a cause of growing resentment, particularly after the 1800 act of the union

Question 17

What were the two main issues Pitt had to consider when \ttempting to bring Ireland into the British political picture?

Answer 17

• He would have to persuade the Dublin parliamnet to accept fewer seats in the Westminster parliament (300 Dublin MPs would have to be reduced to 100 Irish Westminster MPs)
• He would have to bribe the Catholics with a plan of emancipation, to avoid danger of a further uprising

Question 18

How were the Protestant ascendancy convinced to accept the act of union?

Answer 18

By using honours, appointments and pensions

Question 19

How were the small Presbyterian population in the North convinvced to accept the act of union?

Answer 19

The promise of concessions for their linen trade

Question 20

What did intervention from George III prevent?

Answer 20

The promised relief to Catholics, particularly the right to sit in parliament

Question 21

What did Pitt do, as a matter of principle, after his failure to push through Catholic emancipation?

Answer 21

Resigned after 17 years as PM