1798 Rebellion

How was Ireland run before the 1798 Rebellion?

Irish parliament in Dublin but most members were wealthy, Protestant landowners called Protestant Ascendancy. Britain own Ireland

What way was the voting system before 1798?

Only wealthy people could vote (no matter religion) but Catholics and Presbyterians could not take seat in parliament (penal laws)

Who was Wolfe Tone?

Young Protestant lawyer who for called reform in Ireland (inspired by French Revolution)

When did the Society of United Irishmen form and who was it mainly made of?

In October, 1791 Wolfe Tone went to a meeting in Belfast and the result of this meeting was the SUI. Was mainly protestants

What was the aim of the Society of United Irishmen?

To unite Irish people of all religions under a fair government through peaceful means

Name two other members of the SUI

Henry Joy McCracken and Thomas Russel

When and why was the Society of United Irishmen banned?

1794 because Britain was fighting France

What happened after the Society of United Irishmen was banned?

Their ideals changed. Believed violence was the answer to their goals

What happened when Wolfe Tone was banned from Ireland in 1795 for being caught with a French spy?

He stayed in America for a short time and then went to France to ask for help in the rebellion as it was crucial to their victory

Describe France's first attempt at aid for the rebellion

They sent a fleet of 43 ships (14,000 men) commanded by General Lazare Hoche. Left port of Brest in Brittany in December 1796 but a violent stormed stopped them from docking in Bantry Bay, Co. Cork. France did not want to send another fleet after that

What was the Orange Order?

An order set up to protect Protestants and British rule from Ireland. Drove hundreds of Catholics from Ulster which then joined the SUI

What set off the 1798 Rebellion?

Britain feared a rebellion and so started a reign of terror in Ulster where the Society of United Irishmen was strongest. Those thought disloyal to the government were tortured

What were the main causes of the whole of the 1798 Rebellion?

Unfair political system (Protestant Ascendancy), activities of the SUI, war between France and Britain, French Revolution and British Reign of Terror

When was the rising scheduled for and what made it not happen?

23rd May, 1798 but British spies (e.g., Thomas Reynolds) betrayed the SUI and most of its leaders were arrested (Lord Edward Fitzgerald was caught 2 months later)

Describe the Wexford Rebellion

Response to massacres of rebels in Wicklow and Britain's reign of terror. Led by Fr John Murphy and captured towns of Enniscorthy and Wicklow. Rebels lacked weapons (e.g., cannons). On June 5 a rebel army was defeated and massacred at New Ross and in response rebels set fire to a barn in Scullabogue contianing loyalists. Another rebel army was captured in Arklow and after 21st June British captured the rebel headquarters at the Battle of Vinegar Hill. This ended the uprising in Wexford

Describe the second attempt at french aid

On August 22nd, 1798, french army of 1067 led by General Humbert arrive near Kilcummin point in Co. Mayo. Defeat British force at Castlebar after being joined by many more Irishmen. Surrender to stronger British force in Ballinamuck, Co. Longford. In October, a french fleet of 3,000 was captured with Wolf Tone at Donegal coast

Name consequence of the 1798 Rebellion (1)

Roughly 30,000 died

Name consequence of the 1798 Rebellion (2)

Irish parliament was gotten rid of in 1801 Act of Union (forced Irish MP's to take parliament in London instead)

Name consequence of the 1798 Rebellion (3)

Further religious division between Protestants and Catholics

Name consequence of the 1798 Rebellion (4)

Inspired later generations