Early changes in legislature

?
  • Created by: GCHIS
  • Created on: 15-11-19 09:22

Irish Parliament gaining legislative power

Situation before

  • British war with America - parallels to Ireland
  • Demand for removal of legislative restrictions (Poynings' law - approval of British)

Policy change

  • Repeal the Declaratory Act and significantly modified Poynings' law in 1782
  • Irish Mutiny Act

Impact

  • Leave Britain with only power of veto
  • Greater control over armed forces
  • Reduced Irish demands and restored a sense of order to the country
1 of 3

Catholic Relief Act 1793

Situation before

  • Penal laws in 1695 oppressing Catholics
  • Cathloic inspiration from 1789 French Revolution, impending war with Frenca - wanted Irish troops
  • British vulnerable through loss of America

Policy change

  • Catholic Relief Act passed in 1793, removing majority of barriers against Catholics except right to hold public office

Impact

  • Most of barriers against Catholics removed, including ban on inheriting Protestand land
2 of 3

Act of Union 1801

Situation before

  • Growth of the United Irishmen movement after 1791 resulted in an attempted upsrising in 1798
  • Attempt in Irish independence was a failure and the outcome was devastating for Irish Nationalists

Policy change

  • Irish parliament was removed and the British parliament took direct control of Irish affairs

Impact

  • Uprising by the United Irishmen can be seen as a jolt to the British system
  • Despite evident growing opposition, Ireland was not to be lost and all measures necessary were to be taken to secure it
  • Act of Union encouraged further discontent and was more starkly highlighted 
3 of 3

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar History resources:

See all History resources »See all Britain and Ireland resources »