After the 1800 Act of Union, Britain and Ireland were united under one government in Westminster for the first time. The two islands were very different, however. Ireland was primarily an agricultural economy with many small farmers, most of whom were tenants of landlords. Revolutions in agriculture and industry during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries had transformed Britain and it had become heavily industrialised and urbanised.
In response to the Act of Union, Irish nationalists fought campaigns seeking full equality for Catholics and the restoration of an Irish parliament.
The early nineteenth century in Ireland Type of source Category
Primary Primary Visual Written
WORKING WITH THE EVIDENCE! —————————————
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The nineteenth century saw the invention of the fi rst photographs and the fi rst use of drawn illustrations in newspapers. These are very important sources.
Offi cial documents from the British government; speeches by political leaders; debates in the parliament in London. Newspapers became cheaper and more widely read.
Letters, diaries and books written by people of the time
Leaflet scolding Dubliners for not voting
Inexpensive newspapers helped to spread the news of events
What do we rely on to give us a visual image of times before photography? Why are photographs a better source?
