EXPLORING THE 1798 REBELLION 4 The influence of the American Revolution
The Americans fought for their independence from Britain between 1775 and 1783. This was an example for some in Ireland who wanted the Irish parliament to have more power. ● In the circumstances, the Irish Volunteers won the right for the Irish parliament to make its own laws (legislative independence) in 1782.
5 The influence of the French Revolution
The principles of the French Revolution – liberty, equality and fraternity (brotherhood, nationality) – were popular in Ireland, especially among Presbyterians in Belfast. ● Some political leaders wanted the French revolutionary principles put into practice in Ireland.
6 The United Irishmen
The Society of the United Irishmen was founded in Belfast on 18 October 1791. They wanted to reduce English power in Ireland. ● To do that they sought the ‘reform of the representation of the people [voting] in Parliament’, so that more people could vote to elect their representatives.
● They wanted to include ‘Irishmen of every religious persuasion [belief]’, including Catholics, in that reform.
Analysing Sources – What Does It Mean?
Part of a swearing in ceremony for United Irishmen
‘What is that in your hand?’ ‘It is a branch.’ ‘Of what?’ ‘Of the tree of Liberty.’ ‘Where did it first grow?’ ‘In America.’ ‘Where does it bloom?’ ‘In France.’ ‘Where did the seed fall?’ ‘In Ireland.’
It is now growing in Ireland with the United Irishmen
1. What are the aims of the United Irishmen according to the oath? 2. How does the oath show that the United Irishmen began as a peaceful organisation?
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Famous tree in Boston during the American Revolution (p. 169)
In the American Revolution
In the French Revolution
Oath taken by United Irishmen
‘I ---- do voluntarily declare that I will persevere [carry on] and endeavour [try] to form a Brotherhood of affection [friendship] amongst Irishmen of every religious persuasion. I do further declare that I will persevere [persist] and endeavour [try] for a Parliamentary Reform, and for an equal representation of all the people in Ireland. So help me God.’
Catholics, Protestants
(Church of Ireland) and Dissenters (Presbyterians)