Irish Nationalism
What problems did Irish nationalists face in 1905? To what extent had these been overcome by 1949?
For several hundred years, there has been increasing tension between southern and northern Ireland, giving rise to Irish Nationalism. The roots of conflict are to be found in the past when Henry II first landed in Ireland in 1169. At this time, Ireland was recognised for their nationalistic pride and the arrival of an English king generated resentment amongst the people, as England gained some control over Irish land. However, when Henry VIII made England Protestant in 1538, he further alienated the majority of Irelands Catholic population. It was not until Queen Elizabeth I introduce a policy known as plantation, where she gave loyal Protestants supporters land that had been confiscated from Catholic Irish rebels that English control took its hold. The plantation caused enormous uprising from the Catholics and they rebelled for several years causing the death of thousands of people; it was the strong beginning of Irish Nationalism. As Irish discontent mounted, the Act of Union came into effect in 1801. At that time, five sixths of the population were Catholics under the rule of Protestant England.
“William Pitt the Younger saw clearly that something had to be done to prevent Ireland from being a constant source of danger.” (Page 233)
He aimed to reunite the Irish parliament with Great Britain – the Irish parliament was bribed to agree to the union and sent 32 members to the House of Lords and 100 to House of Commons. The union aroused further bitterness in Ireland where commercial, political, religious, and agricultural problems caused further uprisings and rebellions from those who resented British interference.
Throughout the 1800’s Irish nationalism continued to grow as tension built up between Protestants and Catholics; north and south. Three nationalist forces emerged during the 19th century. Fenians were first; they hoped to achieve an independent Irish
For several hundred years, there has been increasing tension between southern and northern Ireland, giving rise to Irish Nationalism. The roots of conflict are to be found in the past when Henry II first landed in Ireland in 1169. At this time, Ireland was recognised for their nationalistic pride and the arrival of an English king generated resentment amongst the people, as England gained some control over Irish land. However, when Henry VIII made England Protestant in 1538, he further alienated the majority of Irelands Catholic population. It was not until Queen Elizabeth I introduce a policy known as plantation, where she gave loyal Protestants supporters land that had been confiscated from Catholic Irish rebels that English control took its hold. The plantation caused enormous uprising from the Catholics and they rebelled for several years causing the death of thousands of people; it was the strong beginning of Irish Nationalism. As Irish discontent mounted, the Act of Union came into effect in 1801. At that time, five sixths of the population were Catholics under the rule of Protestant England.
“William Pitt the Younger saw clearly that something had to be done to prevent Ireland from being a constant source of danger.” (Page 233)
He aimed to reunite the Irish parliament with Great Britain – the Irish parliament was bribed to agree to the union and sent 32 members to the House of Lords and 100 to House of Commons. The union aroused further bitterness in Ireland where commercial, political, religious, and agricultural problems caused further uprisings and rebellions from those who resented British interference.
Throughout the 1800’s Irish nationalism continued to grow as tension built up between Protestants and Catholics; north and south. Three nationalist forces emerged during the 19th century. Fenians were first; they hoped to achieve an independent Irish