Section 9 - The Irish Revolution Flashcards
How did religious discrimination influence the Irish Revolution?
The Protestant ascendancy controlled Ireland. Up to 1770 the penal law had oppressed the catholic majority. Even after that Catholics weren’t allowed to sit in parliament and had to pay tithes to support the Protestant ascendancy. Presbyteries were in a similar position to Catholics and were also angry at the discrimination.
How did rural poverty influence the Irish Revolution?
Many people in Ireland were either landless labourers or poor tenant farmers. They were angry because they had to pay high rents to landlords and tithes to the Protestant ascendancy.
How did the American and France Revolution influence the Irish Revolution?
These revolutions showed that armed revolutions could bring about a democracy. People like Wolfe Tone were inspired by the French Revolution. The French leaders also promised to send military aid to anyone who is going to rise up against oppression.
Who set up the society of United Irishmen?
Wolfe Tone
In what year was the society if United Irishmen set up?
1791
What was the aim of the United Irishmen?
To bring together Irish men of all religions and to end British control over Ireland.
How did the British government react to the growing popularity of the society of United Irishmen?
In 1794 the government banned the society of United Irishmen.
What did Tone do after the government banned the United Irishmen?
He fled to America and then to France.
What did Tone do in France? Did this work?
Tone persuaded the French leaders to invade Ireland. In 1796 a large fleet of French soldiers arrived off the coast of Bantry Bay but couldn’t land because of the stormy weather.
After witnessing the attempted French invasion, how did the British react?
The British started a reign of terror. They disarmed the people of Leinster and Ulster. They sent out spies to keep them well informed and they arrested many of the United Irishmen’s leaders such as Fitzgerald.
Briefly describe the rebellion in Leinster.
In 1798, although they were short of arms the United Irishmen rebelled. They were defeated in kildare and Meath.
Briefly describe the rebellion in Wexford.
The rebels defeated government forces at New Ross and Arklow. However at the final battle at vinegar hill the rebels were defeated.
Briefly describe the rebellion in Connaught.
Tone persuaded another fleet of French soldiers to invade. They arrived in Mayo and easily defeated government forces however government forces defeated the rebels in Ballinamuck.
How did Wolfe Tone die?
Another small fleet of French soldiers arrived at lough swilly shortly after the Revolution with Tone on board. The fleet was captured by the British and Tone was brought to Dublin to be executed. Before he could be executed, he committed suicide.
Give 2 results of the rebellion.
1) The British passed the act of Union in 1800 so that the Irish Parliament was abolished and Ireland was ruled directly from Westminster.
2) Wolfe Tone and the society of United Irishmen introduced republicanism to Irish politics. Ireland eventually did become a republic in 1937.
