Depth Study: The Irish Land Issue 1870-82
The Irish Land Issue 1870-82
Key land issues due to the famine
- Tenant farmers – conacre (practice of farming subdivided land), cottiers (T farmers)
- Subdivision of land
- Evictions
- Poor land security
- High rents
- No rights
North / South divide – tenants in the North had greater security (fixed tenure) due to
majority Protestants known as the Ulster custom. This was not available for the poorer Irish
Catholics in the south so much worse status and conditions.
Increased agitation in the South led to Irish Tenant League 1850 – uniting to solve 3 F’s (Fair
rent, Fixity of Tenure, Freedom to sell interest) declined in 1859 due to increased prosperity
undermining united front.
The Dublin Land Conference
Tenant League reformed in 1869 led by Isaac Butt. Conference involved farmers, the Tenant
League and politicians including 14 MPs lasted 2 days and demanded extension of Ulster
custom across country.
Refused to attend: Liberal politicians (position complicated by need for loyalty and their own
ownership of land – though they were sympathetic)
Significant name to remember John Gray: Protestant Nationalist had supported Daniel
O’Connell and owned publication Freeman’s Journal (look out for him in source Qu) –
spread the message of the conference including demand for 3F’s.
The Land Act 1870
As a result of the Dublin Land Conference
Gladstone needed to avoid antagonism and also believed in justice
Supported by president of Board of Trade, John Bright
Land Act passed 1870
- The Ulster Custom recognized in law wherever it already existed (North only)
- Compensation offered for those evicted for non-payment issues and pay back any
improvements made (however loopholes occurred such as landlords now charging
higher rents in order to legally evict tenants)
- Protections would not count to those who rented land for more than 31 years
(making first clause redundant)
- Any tenant wanting to buy their land could borrow 2/3 of the price from the
government paying back 5% interest over 35 years = BRIGHT CLAUSE (however no
tenant farmers had 1/3 of the price to begin with)
, Depth Study: The Irish Land Issue 1870-82
How accurate is it to saw that the Land Act of 1870 effectively addressed the question of
land reform in Ireland between 1870-1880?
The issue of Fair Rent
The issue of Fixity of Tenure
- People with tenure for 31 or more years were no longer protected
- Compensation is evicted for non-rate issues
The issue of Freedom to sell interest
- Compensation if evicted and made improvements
Land reform and the Economy
After the 1870 land act the economy boomed and many saw it as success for the land act
(evictions were at 1.36 per 1000 – very low and agricultural production increased by 12
million) Gladstone stated in 1877 he was pleased with progress when he visited Ireland.
Causes of the long depression:
1. End of American Civil War 1965 and Franco-Prussian War 1871 led to speculative
boom and investment in America. Fear set in, loss of confidence and investment
dropped and market crashed. This saw investors debt ridden and economic growth
stalling.
2. Rise of Cheap American goods, wheat, meat and butter main goods. Wheat fell from
$1.70 per Bushel to $0.66 USA. Wheat only 10% of agricultural output so not
significant. Meat was undercut by US but Irish meat better quality so maintained
trade in SR, yet LR put pressure on Ireland to lower prices.
3. Decline in value of Land due to inclement weather 1877 – poor harvests saw Irish
tillage fall by £14 million – more than 60% loss due to potato crop. Little income led
to falling land prices.
American Civil War links to both speculative boom and rise of cheap competition so most
significant underlying cause
Impacts of the long depression
1. Antagonism
Rent strikes
Collective action
2. Increase in rent
Increase in evictions
Exponential increase
1877 400
1878 1,000
1880 2,000
3. Lack of food
1979 Mini Famine
The Irish Land Issue 1870-82
Key land issues due to the famine
- Tenant farmers – conacre (practice of farming subdivided land), cottiers (T farmers)
- Subdivision of land
- Evictions
- Poor land security
- High rents
- No rights
North / South divide – tenants in the North had greater security (fixed tenure) due to
majority Protestants known as the Ulster custom. This was not available for the poorer Irish
Catholics in the south so much worse status and conditions.
Increased agitation in the South led to Irish Tenant League 1850 – uniting to solve 3 F’s (Fair
rent, Fixity of Tenure, Freedom to sell interest) declined in 1859 due to increased prosperity
undermining united front.
The Dublin Land Conference
Tenant League reformed in 1869 led by Isaac Butt. Conference involved farmers, the Tenant
League and politicians including 14 MPs lasted 2 days and demanded extension of Ulster
custom across country.
Refused to attend: Liberal politicians (position complicated by need for loyalty and their own
ownership of land – though they were sympathetic)
Significant name to remember John Gray: Protestant Nationalist had supported Daniel
O’Connell and owned publication Freeman’s Journal (look out for him in source Qu) –
spread the message of the conference including demand for 3F’s.
The Land Act 1870
As a result of the Dublin Land Conference
Gladstone needed to avoid antagonism and also believed in justice
Supported by president of Board of Trade, John Bright
Land Act passed 1870
- The Ulster Custom recognized in law wherever it already existed (North only)
- Compensation offered for those evicted for non-payment issues and pay back any
improvements made (however loopholes occurred such as landlords now charging
higher rents in order to legally evict tenants)
- Protections would not count to those who rented land for more than 31 years
(making first clause redundant)
- Any tenant wanting to buy their land could borrow 2/3 of the price from the
government paying back 5% interest over 35 years = BRIGHT CLAUSE (however no
tenant farmers had 1/3 of the price to begin with)
, Depth Study: The Irish Land Issue 1870-82
How accurate is it to saw that the Land Act of 1870 effectively addressed the question of
land reform in Ireland between 1870-1880?
The issue of Fair Rent
The issue of Fixity of Tenure
- People with tenure for 31 or more years were no longer protected
- Compensation is evicted for non-rate issues
The issue of Freedom to sell interest
- Compensation if evicted and made improvements
Land reform and the Economy
After the 1870 land act the economy boomed and many saw it as success for the land act
(evictions were at 1.36 per 1000 – very low and agricultural production increased by 12
million) Gladstone stated in 1877 he was pleased with progress when he visited Ireland.
Causes of the long depression:
1. End of American Civil War 1965 and Franco-Prussian War 1871 led to speculative
boom and investment in America. Fear set in, loss of confidence and investment
dropped and market crashed. This saw investors debt ridden and economic growth
stalling.
2. Rise of Cheap American goods, wheat, meat and butter main goods. Wheat fell from
$1.70 per Bushel to $0.66 USA. Wheat only 10% of agricultural output so not
significant. Meat was undercut by US but Irish meat better quality so maintained
trade in SR, yet LR put pressure on Ireland to lower prices.
3. Decline in value of Land due to inclement weather 1877 – poor harvests saw Irish
tillage fall by £14 million – more than 60% loss due to potato crop. Little income led
to falling land prices.
American Civil War links to both speculative boom and rise of cheap competition so most
significant underlying cause
Impacts of the long depression
1. Antagonism
Rent strikes
Collective action
2. Increase in rent
Increase in evictions
Exponential increase
1877 400
1878 1,000
1880 2,000
3. Lack of food
1979 Mini Famine
