Between 1800 and 1900, nationalists only experienced success when the
British government was weak, whilst Unionist success was only
achieved when the British government was strong. To what extent do
you agree with this statement?
Essay Plan
Irish Nationalism (1800-1850)
● Henry Grattan and the Patriots
○ Failed because of the strength of King George III and the British
Government.
○ Unable to achieve Catholic Emancipation.
● Robert Emmet’s 1803 Rebellion
○ Failed because of the strength of the British Government and its
ability to repress the uprising, executing the leaders quickly.
○ However, alternative reasons for failure include poor leadership
and a lack of popular support.
● Daniel O’Connell’s Campaign for Catholic Emancipation
○ British weaknesses contributed significantly to O’Connell’s
success in achieving Catholic Emancipation in 1829.
○ The 1827 Emancipation Crisis weakened the government, making
it possible for O’Connell to succeed.
○ O’Connell’s brinkmanship after the 1828 County Clare byelection
pressured the British Government into delivering Emancipation.
○ However pre-existing support, both from the Irish public and from
within the British Government, was also significant in achieving
success for the Irish nationalists.
○ O’Connell was a persuasive and charming leader. He had
success with the Catholic Association and the Catholic Rent,
mobilising the public.
● Daniel O’Connell’s Campaign for the Repeal of the 1801 Act of Union
, ○ O’Connell failed to achieve repeal because he was facing a
united Conservative government under Robert Peel (Prime
Minister).
○ Peel placated the Irish public with the Maynooth Bill and the
Colleges Bill, reducing the power of O’Connell’s support base.
○ Peel crushed the Clontarf monster meeting.
○ O’Connell also lacked support for his repeal campaign,
contributing to his defeat.
○ Reforms were dependent on the role of Drummond (Irish Under
Secretary)
Irish Unionism (1800-1850)
● Links with the Conservative Party
○ Irish Protestant Conservative Association (links to the strength of
a strong Conservative British Government)
○ Irish Metropolitan Conservative Society (links to the British
Government in their success).
● Henry Cooke
○ “The Cooke who Dished Dan”- Cooke was successful in
preventing the success of O’Connell’s repeal campaign.
○ October 1834- Cooke’s anti-Repeal rally.
○ 1841- Cooke and economic reasons behind Unionist movements
and success.
Irish Nationalism (1850-1900)
● The Young Ireland Rebellion in 1848
○ The British Government contributed to the rebellion by arresting
Mitchel.
○ However, other factors (especially the Great Famine) are perhaps
more significant.
● The 1867 Fenian Uprising
British government was weak, whilst Unionist success was only
achieved when the British government was strong. To what extent do
you agree with this statement?
Essay Plan
Irish Nationalism (1800-1850)
● Henry Grattan and the Patriots
○ Failed because of the strength of King George III and the British
Government.
○ Unable to achieve Catholic Emancipation.
● Robert Emmet’s 1803 Rebellion
○ Failed because of the strength of the British Government and its
ability to repress the uprising, executing the leaders quickly.
○ However, alternative reasons for failure include poor leadership
and a lack of popular support.
● Daniel O’Connell’s Campaign for Catholic Emancipation
○ British weaknesses contributed significantly to O’Connell’s
success in achieving Catholic Emancipation in 1829.
○ The 1827 Emancipation Crisis weakened the government, making
it possible for O’Connell to succeed.
○ O’Connell’s brinkmanship after the 1828 County Clare byelection
pressured the British Government into delivering Emancipation.
○ However pre-existing support, both from the Irish public and from
within the British Government, was also significant in achieving
success for the Irish nationalists.
○ O’Connell was a persuasive and charming leader. He had
success with the Catholic Association and the Catholic Rent,
mobilising the public.
● Daniel O’Connell’s Campaign for the Repeal of the 1801 Act of Union
, ○ O’Connell failed to achieve repeal because he was facing a
united Conservative government under Robert Peel (Prime
Minister).
○ Peel placated the Irish public with the Maynooth Bill and the
Colleges Bill, reducing the power of O’Connell’s support base.
○ Peel crushed the Clontarf monster meeting.
○ O’Connell also lacked support for his repeal campaign,
contributing to his defeat.
○ Reforms were dependent on the role of Drummond (Irish Under
Secretary)
Irish Unionism (1800-1850)
● Links with the Conservative Party
○ Irish Protestant Conservative Association (links to the strength of
a strong Conservative British Government)
○ Irish Metropolitan Conservative Society (links to the British
Government in their success).
● Henry Cooke
○ “The Cooke who Dished Dan”- Cooke was successful in
preventing the success of O’Connell’s repeal campaign.
○ October 1834- Cooke’s anti-Repeal rally.
○ 1841- Cooke and economic reasons behind Unionist movements
and success.
Irish Nationalism (1850-1900)
● The Young Ireland Rebellion in 1848
○ The British Government contributed to the rebellion by arresting
Mitchel.
○ However, other factors (especially the Great Famine) are perhaps
more significant.
● The 1867 Fenian Uprising
