The document provides background on "The Irish Problem" in the 18th century from a political, religious, economic, and social perspective. It led to a number of protest movements calling for parliamentary and Catholic reforms. The American and French Revolutions further inspired radicals like the United Irishmen. Fearing unrest, the British passed the Act of Union in 1801, uniting Ireland and Britain. However, the act did not achieve its goals of resolving issues and the religious divide in Ireland was arguably strengthened instead.

1. Background to the Act of Union

2. “ The Irish Problem” in the 18 th Century Political: Ireland was a separate Kingdom with it’s own parliament however under Poyning’s Law of 1494 the Irish Parliament was subordinate to the Westminster Government. The King’s representative – the Lord Lieutenant - based in Dublin Castle controlled the administration of Ireland. The Irish Parliament had no control over his appointment or his office.

3. “ The Irish Problem” in the 18 th Century Religious: The religious battles in Europe in the 17 th Century had left a situation in Ireland where the majority population was not trusted to hold public office or vote because of their affiliation to the Roman Catholic Church. Catholic could not take part in the running of the country. The Protestant Ascendancy class in Ireland ruled on behalf of the British however they represented only a small percentage of the population. Many middle-class protestants, especially Presbyterians resented their subordinance to Britain and they demanded more say in the running of the country.

4. “ The Irish Problem” in the 18 th Century Economic: 5% of the population (the landed aristocracy or ‘ascendancy') owned 90% of the land in Ireland. The rest of the population (mostly Catholic although in Ulster there was a large population of protestant dissenters) were forced to rent land from the landowners. Many of the farms were small and unproductive leading to poverty and regular mini-famines. 1 million Irish Catholics were landless labourers who roamed the country working as hired help on small farms.

8. The French Revolution The French Revolution in 1789 saw the old ruling elite of France overthrown by the emerging middle-classes and the arrival of Republican government. Probably more significant was the ideology of the revolution which was anti-clerical and which espoused liberty and equality. Imagine how dangerous these ideas would be in a society without freedom and equality.

9. Which groups may fear a revolution and which groups could gain from one? The execution of Louis XVI in 1792

11. Wolfe Tone and “The United Irishmen” Tone was a middle-class Dublin protestant. His inspiration was the French Revolution. The United Irishmen aimed to create an Irish Republic with equality and liberty for all – “Catholic, Protestant and dissenter” In 1795 Tone went to France to try to persuade the French to invade Ireland. A French fleet arrived at Bantry in 1796 but could not dock due to poor weather.

12. The 1798 Rebellion The rebellion between May and August cost 30,000 lives but ultimately failed. The government in Britain realised it needed to deal with the Irish problem before it imperilled the security of both nations.

13. “ The fears and doubts inspired by the events of 1798 meant therefore that the arguments in favour of a union of the two kingdoms became more powerful and imperative to the British government and its supporters on both sides of the Irish sea.” Adelman and Pearce, p.22

14. Arguments for Union William Pitt hoped that the Act of Union would aid the security of both nations. Once the Kingdoms were united Catholics would be a minority thus removing the Ascendancy’s fears over Emancipation. Political unity would have a beneficial effect on Ireland’s economy.

15. Arguments against Union The biggest opponents of Union were the Protestant Ascendancy. Their anti-unionist stance however was not a united one as some of them were merely opposed to parliamentary reform whereas others were opposed to the Catholic Emancipation which they saw as the logical consequence of Union. They argued that Ireland was a separate nation and that it was the Irish gentry who had put down the 1798 revolt.

17. How did they pass the Union? By perjury and fraud; By slaves who sold their land for gold As Judas sold his God… And thus was passed the Union By Pitt and Castlereagh; Could Satan send for such an end More worthy tools than they?

19. “ The religious and national divide in Ireland, contary to the hopes of men like William Pitt, was therefore strengthened rather than weakened as a result of the Act of Union.” “ It was in these circumstances that a new outstanding leader of Catholic Ireland emerged in the 1820’s in the Person of Daniel O’Connell…” Adelman and Pearce, p.27.