Essay Plan- Ireland from 1800 to 1900- The Role of Popular Support
in the Success of Unionists and Constitutional Nationalists
Since mass support is the proposition, you must explore its role fully. However,
you may shorten or skip aspects of other factors (eg. the strength of political
leadership or the weaknesses of the British government).
Notes
Introduction
● I partially agree with the idea that popular support was the most
significant factor in determining the successes and/or failures of
unionists and constitutional nationalists in Ireland between 1800 and
1900.
○ For example, mass support was essential in achieving Catholic
Emancipation in 1829.
● However, other factors were essential for achieving success, such as
the leadership of figures like O’Connell and Parnell.
● Furthermore, it is difficult to conclude that mass support was a
significant factor in unionist success as the unionists were numerically
inferior in Ireland.
● It’s clear that the weakness or strength of Westminster was more
significant in determining the success of nationalist and unionist groups.
Constitutional Nationalists: 1800-1850
Henry Grattan and the Patriots
The Role of Support
● Henry Grattan aimed to achieve Catholic Emancipation and/or the
repeal of the Act of Union
● However, he failed due to a lack of popular support.
, ● The group which he led (the Patriots) were a minority, preventing further
success.
● However, there was some success as Grattan would inspire O’Connell
(who successfully achieved Emancipation in 1829).
Daniel O’Connell and the Campaign for Catholic Emancipation
The Role of Support
● 1823: O’Connell forms the Catholic Association, attracting the ordinary
farming classes to the emancipation campaign.
○ The Association represented approximately seven million Irish
Catholics
● The establishment of the Catholic Rent (one penny/month membership
of the Association) raised funds for the campaign and mobilised the
popular support base enjoyed by the Association.
○ £35,000 collected between 1826 and 1829
○ The Catholic clergy supported the collection of the Rent, helping
to collect £20,000 within 9 months.
● Support from the Roman Catholic Church legitimised O’Connell’s
campaign, consolidating a strong support base amongst the Irish
Catholic peasantry classes.
○ Eg. Bishop James Doyle published pamphlets in support of
Catholic Emancipation.
● O’Connell was beloved by the regular classes as he politicised common
issues, like land reform. This spread support for the campaign beyond
the Catholic middle classes.
○ The dubbed O’Connell “The Deliverer” for his promises of
freedom
● The campaign was the “crusade of an irresistible mass movement”
(Rees)
● Four pro-emancipation candidates were returned in the 1826 election in
Ireland, demonstrating their support.
, ● O’Connell wins the 1828 County Clare election (2057 votes to 982)
○ This forced Wellington and Peel to push Catholic Emancipation
forward at Westminster.
○ This was a practical reason for Catholic Emancipation that would
be accepted by the British Government.
● Mass support allowed O’Connell to threaten revolt if he were not
allowed to take his seat (ie. if Catholic Emancipation were not
delivered). O’Connell used this brinkmanship to place pressure on the
Westminster government and threaten to engage the “counsels of
violent men”.
● O’Connell’s support from the Irish therefore allowed him to achieve his
“bloodless revolution” (O’Connell) when the Roman Catholic
Emancipation Act passed in 1829.
Other Factors
● However, despite the significance of O’Connell’s mass support, this was
not the determining factor for delivering Catholic Emancipation. The role
of Westminster was, arguably, more influential.
● There was already support in the House of Commons for Catholic
Emancipation, and it’s unlikely that O’Connell would have been capable
of delivering emancipation had Westminster not already been open to
the idea.
○ Eg. Two Emancipation Bills (1821 and 1826) had already passed
in the House of Commons (despite being overridden by the
House of Lords).
○ The 1829 Roman Catholic Emancipation Act was passed with
minimal opposition in the House of Commons and a 2:1 majority
in the House of Lords. It is likely that O’Connell would have failed
if his goals had not already aligned with the attitudes of many of
those at Westminster.
in the Success of Unionists and Constitutional Nationalists
Since mass support is the proposition, you must explore its role fully. However,
you may shorten or skip aspects of other factors (eg. the strength of political
leadership or the weaknesses of the British government).
Notes
Introduction
● I partially agree with the idea that popular support was the most
significant factor in determining the successes and/or failures of
unionists and constitutional nationalists in Ireland between 1800 and
1900.
○ For example, mass support was essential in achieving Catholic
Emancipation in 1829.
● However, other factors were essential for achieving success, such as
the leadership of figures like O’Connell and Parnell.
● Furthermore, it is difficult to conclude that mass support was a
significant factor in unionist success as the unionists were numerically
inferior in Ireland.
● It’s clear that the weakness or strength of Westminster was more
significant in determining the success of nationalist and unionist groups.
Constitutional Nationalists: 1800-1850
Henry Grattan and the Patriots
The Role of Support
● Henry Grattan aimed to achieve Catholic Emancipation and/or the
repeal of the Act of Union
● However, he failed due to a lack of popular support.
, ● The group which he led (the Patriots) were a minority, preventing further
success.
● However, there was some success as Grattan would inspire O’Connell
(who successfully achieved Emancipation in 1829).
Daniel O’Connell and the Campaign for Catholic Emancipation
The Role of Support
● 1823: O’Connell forms the Catholic Association, attracting the ordinary
farming classes to the emancipation campaign.
○ The Association represented approximately seven million Irish
Catholics
● The establishment of the Catholic Rent (one penny/month membership
of the Association) raised funds for the campaign and mobilised the
popular support base enjoyed by the Association.
○ £35,000 collected between 1826 and 1829
○ The Catholic clergy supported the collection of the Rent, helping
to collect £20,000 within 9 months.
● Support from the Roman Catholic Church legitimised O’Connell’s
campaign, consolidating a strong support base amongst the Irish
Catholic peasantry classes.
○ Eg. Bishop James Doyle published pamphlets in support of
Catholic Emancipation.
● O’Connell was beloved by the regular classes as he politicised common
issues, like land reform. This spread support for the campaign beyond
the Catholic middle classes.
○ The dubbed O’Connell “The Deliverer” for his promises of
freedom
● The campaign was the “crusade of an irresistible mass movement”
(Rees)
● Four pro-emancipation candidates were returned in the 1826 election in
Ireland, demonstrating their support.
, ● O’Connell wins the 1828 County Clare election (2057 votes to 982)
○ This forced Wellington and Peel to push Catholic Emancipation
forward at Westminster.
○ This was a practical reason for Catholic Emancipation that would
be accepted by the British Government.
● Mass support allowed O’Connell to threaten revolt if he were not
allowed to take his seat (ie. if Catholic Emancipation were not
delivered). O’Connell used this brinkmanship to place pressure on the
Westminster government and threaten to engage the “counsels of
violent men”.
● O’Connell’s support from the Irish therefore allowed him to achieve his
“bloodless revolution” (O’Connell) when the Roman Catholic
Emancipation Act passed in 1829.
Other Factors
● However, despite the significance of O’Connell’s mass support, this was
not the determining factor for delivering Catholic Emancipation. The role
of Westminster was, arguably, more influential.
● There was already support in the House of Commons for Catholic
Emancipation, and it’s unlikely that O’Connell would have been capable
of delivering emancipation had Westminster not already been open to
the idea.
○ Eg. Two Emancipation Bills (1821 and 1826) had already passed
in the House of Commons (despite being overridden by the
House of Lords).
○ The 1829 Roman Catholic Emancipation Act was passed with
minimal opposition in the House of Commons and a 2:1 majority
in the House of Lords. It is likely that O’Connell would have failed
if his goals had not already aligned with the attitudes of many of
those at Westminster.
