Section 11 - Political Developments In Ireland Flashcards
Who were landlords?
Landlords were mostly descendants of english planters. They lived in big houses and rented land to ta ant farmers
Who were tenant farmers?
Tenant farmers could be quite wealthy but most were poor. They lived in single story houses and consumed mainly potatoes and milk. Tenant farmer paid rent 2 times a year on “gale days”. If a tenant farmer dos not pay rent he could be evicted.
Who were cottiers?
Cottiers were very poor. They worked for tenant farmers. Some cottiers may take an acre of land off a tenant farmer in conacre (an 11 month lease). Cottiers lived in tiny houses. They ate potatoes.
Name 2 causes of the famine.
1) The subdivision of land
2) The dependence of potatoes
What disease caused the famine?
Potato blight
Mention 3 methods that victims of the famine were helped.
1) The British PM, Sir Robert Peel imported Indian corn from America to sell cheaply to those hungry in Ireland.
2) Workhouses provided emergency aid to people. However this was a last resort because the workhouses were dull and overcrowded.
3) Soup kitchens set up by charitable organisations such as the Quakers provided bread and soup to hungry people.
Mention 3 effects of the famine.
1) About 1M people died due to diseases such as typhus and the dropsy.
2) About 1M people emigrated to UK and USA on coffin ships.
3) The subdivision of land ended. Farmers now left their land to only 1 son, forcing the others to emigrate.
Under what act was Ireland ruled by the British Parliament in Westminster?
Act of Union
Who were unionists?
Unionists wanted Ireland to remain as part of the British empire. About 25% of Irish people were unionists. Most unionists were from Ulster.
Who were nationalists?
Nationalists wanted to break free from the British empire.
Who were constitutional nationalists?
Constitutional nationalists were represented by the home rule party. They wanted Ireland to have its own parliament to deal with internal affairs while Westminster ruled over Ireland in national affairs.
Who founded the home rule party?
Isaac Butt
Who were republicans?
Republicans supported the IRB. They wanted a full Republic free from British rule entirely. They used violence to achieve their aim.
Name 2 nationalist organisations.
1) The GAA was set up to promote Irish sports such as hurling and football.
2) The Gaelic League was set up to promote the Irish language. Its first president was Douglas Hyde.
3) Sinn Fein party, founded by Arthur Griffith. He believed that Ireland should have its own parliament while the king of England continued to be the king of Ireland.
What became the home rule party’s most influential leader?
Parnell
Why did the home rule party divide?
It came to light that Parnell was having an affair with a married woman.
Who reunited the home rule party?
John Redmond.
How did the home rule part have a home rule bill introduced?
In 1910 the liberal party needed the support of Redmond’s home rule party to gain power. Redmond agreed but on the condition that the liberals have the home rule bill introduced. The liberals agreed and in 1912 the bill was passed by the House of Commons but rejected by the House of Lords. The bill was due to come into effect in 1914. Days
Mention 2 reasons why unionists didn’t want home rule.
1) They thought that they would be discriminated against by a catholic parliament. They thought home rule would be Rome rule.
2) Ulster has economically prospered under the union and they thought that home rule would ruin this prosperity.
Name two unionists who opposed home rule.
1) James Craig
2) Edward Carson
What was the solemn league and covenant?
An agreement signed by unionists to promise to fight home rule with force.
Name the army set up by Craig and Carson to fight home rule.
The Ulster defence force.
What was the name of the army set to to fight the Ulster defence force. Who set this army up?
The Irish volunteers set up by Eoin MacNeil.
What problem did workers face on 1913?
They were poorly paid and could not decent food, clothing or houses.
What was the name given to those who wanted to get workers better pay and working conditions?
Socialists such as Larkin and Connolly
How did Connolly and Larkin go about getting better wages?
They organised strikes
What is ITGWU?
The Irish transport and general workers union set up by James Larken in 1908. It was set up to get fairer working conditions and pay.
What was the Dublin Lockout?
Employers, backed by government, tried to destroy the ITGWU by refusing to let employees return to work until they left the union.
Who set up the Irish citizen army and why?
James Connolly. To protect the workers involved in the Dublin lockout from police.
How many workers were involved in the lockout?
20’000
What was the result of the lockout?
After months, workers had to give up. Larkin went to America and Connolly took over socialist activities.
Why was home rule postponed?
WWI broke out in 1914
What was the IRB’s reaction to Britain fighting WWI?
They felt that “England’s difficulty was Ireland’s opportunity”. They began to plan a rebellion on Easter Sunday of 1916.
What steps did the IRB take to prepare for the rising?
1) They persuaded James Connolly to support with his Irish citizen army
2) They tricked Eoin MacNeil into believing that the government was going to arrest leaders of the Irish volunteers so he would provide his army.
3) They sent Rodger casement to german to get arms.
How did the IRB’s plans go wrong?
1) Rodger casement was captured by the British and the arms were seized.
2) Eoin MacNeil realised that he had been tricked and so withdrew his Irish volunteer army.
When did the rising begin?
Easter Monday 21st of April 1916
