The Rise of Irish Nationalism in the Nineteenth Century
Discuss the significance of the political developments within revolutionary and constitutional Irish nationalism from the period 1798 to 1867
Word count 1592
The nineteenth century was a revolutionary and constitutional period in Irelands history, that somewhat shaped the Ireland that we live in today. This essay will explore the political developments, within revolutionary and constitutional Irish nationalism in the period 1798 to 1867.
The late eighteenth century marked the beginning of what was to map Ireland’s future through the nineteenth century and to the present day. Ireland at this time was a deeply divided society. Catholic’s and Presbyterians made up eighty five percent of the population, yet they had no power what so ever and were very ill treated. That power belonged to the Church of Ireland. It was they who held all the parliamentary and government jobs. But this was a time in Irish history that was about to see a change. For too long had the lower class been subject to penal laws and below standard conditions. The French revolution rekindled the dream that Ireland could one day become a free and independent nation again. And it was a young protestant lawyer called Theobald Wolfe Tonne, who would go on to be known as the father of Irish republicanism, who ignited the flame in the search for a free Ireland.
The formation of the United Irishmen in 1791 was the catalyst of Irish nationalism. After achieving their original goal of alleviating religious discrimination, Wolfe Tonne and the United Irishmen, inspired by the French revolution, turned their attentions to freeing Ireland thus creating an Irish Republic.
Wolfe Tonne travelled to France in 1796 to gain the support of the French revolutionists. Together they would return to Ireland to mount an attack on the British to break the connection with England. However this revolt never was in vain as high winds and rough seas prevented the French ships from landing. The significance of
Word count 1592
The nineteenth century was a revolutionary and constitutional period in Irelands history, that somewhat shaped the Ireland that we live in today. This essay will explore the political developments, within revolutionary and constitutional Irish nationalism in the period 1798 to 1867.
The late eighteenth century marked the beginning of what was to map Ireland’s future through the nineteenth century and to the present day. Ireland at this time was a deeply divided society. Catholic’s and Presbyterians made up eighty five percent of the population, yet they had no power what so ever and were very ill treated. That power belonged to the Church of Ireland. It was they who held all the parliamentary and government jobs. But this was a time in Irish history that was about to see a change. For too long had the lower class been subject to penal laws and below standard conditions. The French revolution rekindled the dream that Ireland could one day become a free and independent nation again. And it was a young protestant lawyer called Theobald Wolfe Tonne, who would go on to be known as the father of Irish republicanism, who ignited the flame in the search for a free Ireland.
The formation of the United Irishmen in 1791 was the catalyst of Irish nationalism. After achieving their original goal of alleviating religious discrimination, Wolfe Tonne and the United Irishmen, inspired by the French revolution, turned their attentions to freeing Ireland thus creating an Irish Republic.
Wolfe Tonne travelled to France in 1796 to gain the support of the French revolutionists. Together they would return to Ireland to mount an attack on the British to break the connection with England. However this revolt never was in vain as high winds and rough seas prevented the French ships from landing. The significance of
Bibliography: Beckett, J.C. (1981). The Making of Modern Ireland 1603-1923, London, Cox & Wyman Ltd. Irish History Links, (2013). The Act of Union and its Consequences. www.irishhistorylinks.net Retrieved 11th March 2013. Irish History Links, (2013). The Revolt of the Young Irelanders. www.irishhistorylinks.net Retrieved 11th March 2013. Lyons, F.S.L. (1985). Ireland Since the Famine, London, Fontana Press. Pelling, N. (2003). Anglo-Irish Relations 1798-1922, Oxon, Routledge.