Pitt and the Irish Rebellion Flashcards
How was Ireland split?
Ireland was split into 4 provinces and each was ruled by a king. They were dynamic and their borders changed overtime.
Causes of the Irish Rebellion
Religious Discrimination - Predominantly Catholic population suffered discrimination from the Protestant minority - penal laws.
Economic Hardships
Influence of American and French Revolutions - French support as in 1796 and 1797 the French made attempts to assist the the United Irishmen by sending Military expeditions to Ireland.
Class relations, Poor had no rights
Society of United Irishmen 1791 promoted independence and desire to unite Protestants and Catholics - rising tensions.
Events of the Irish Rebellion
Oct 1791 the Society of United Irishmen was formed to establish a democracy in Ireland + equal rights for all men regardless of religion
Founded by Wolfe Tone, a Protestant barrister from Dublin, who sought Catholic rights and separation from England.
Pitt tried to suppress Catholic enthusiasm.
Dublin Parliament passed the 1793 Catholic Relief Act, allowing Catholics to vote.
1795: Attempt to introduce full Catholic emancipation failed, increasing tensions and fuelling United Irishmen’s push for independence.
Tone involved in French-backed plots to overthrow the government, but attacks failed and were crushed by government forces.
Result of the Irish Rebellion
Catholic Emancipation was passed in 1829 with the Catholic Relief Act, allowing Catholics to sit in Parliament and hold public office in the UK.
Act of Union 1800 - dissolved Irish Parliament and merged it with British Parliament, creating the UK of Great Britain and Ireland. The Irish were allowed seats in the Westminster Parliament.
