Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
Ireland and the Union, c1774–1923 - 1 Irish nationalism: from agitation to…
Full specification wording
Paper 3, Option 36.2: Ireland and the Union, c1774–1923 - 1 Irish nationalism: from agitation to civil war: Agitation and rebellion, c1774–c1870: the demands of the Irish Volunteers and the United Irishmen (key development: the constitution of 1782 and the rebellion of 1798); the role of Daniel O’Connell and the Repeal Association; the Tithe Wars; the impact of Young Ireland and of the Irish Republican brotherhood (key developments: the 1848 rebellion and the 1867 Fenian Rising and executions).
Irish nationalism from c1774 to c1870 evolved through constitutional agitation and violent rebellion.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 1 of 2
- 3 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Irish nationalism from c1774 to c1870 evolved through constitutional agitation and violent rebellion. The Irish Volunteers demanded free trade and legislative independence, achieved via the constitution of 1782. Conversely, the United Irishmen sought Catholic emancipation and a republic, culminating in the failed 1798 rebellion. Daniel O'Connell and the Repeal Association campaigned peacefully to repeal the Union, while the Tithe Wars violently resisted Anglican tithes. Young Ireland's 1848 rebellion was swiftly crushed. The Irish Republican Brotherhood launched the 1867 Fenian Rising; although a military failure, the subsequent executions of Fenians generated immense sympathy and momentum for future home rule campaigns.
What earns the marks
- Distinguishes early demands: the Irish Volunteers sought legislative independence and free trade (achieving the 1782 constitution), whereas the United Irishmen demanded Catholic emancipation and a republic.
- Analyses the 1798 rebellion: led by the United Irishmen, it failed due to poor coordination and repression, resulting in the Act of Union 1800.
- Evaluates Daniel O'Connell and the Repeal Association: mass peaceful meetings aimed at repealing the Union, alongside the Tithe Wars resisting Anglican Church payments.
- Assesses the impact of Young Ireland and the IRB: the 1848 rebellion failed, but the 1867 Fenian Rising and subsequent executions in Manchester aroused lasting public sympathy.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Stating the 1782 constitution gave Ireland full independence.
Put it right: It gave legislative independence but the British monarch and executive retained control.
Claiming the Irish Volunteers sought Catholic emancipation.
Put it right: The Volunteers primarily sought legislative independence and free trade; Catholic emancipation and republicanism were key demands of the United Irishmen.
Saying the 1867 Fenian Rising was a military success.
Put it right: It was a failure militarily, but the executions of Fenians generated sympathy and support for Irish nationalism.
Exam tips
- Compare methods: contrast the constitutional approach of O'Connell's Repeal Association with the physical force of the United Irishmen, Young Ireland, and the IRB.
- For the Tithe Wars, explain the link to Catholic grievances and how agrarian violence forced the government to pass the Commutation Act 1838.
Try the lesson
The start of the Paper 3, Option 36.2: Ireland and the Union, c1774–1923 - 1 Irish nationalism: from agitation to civil war: Agitation and rebellion, c1774–c1870: the demands of the Irish Volunteers and the United Irishmen (key development: the constitution of 1782 and the rebellion of 1798); the role of Daniel O’Connell and the Repeal Association; the Tithe Wars; the impact of Young Ireland and of the Irish Republican brotherhood (key developments: the 1848 rebellion and the 1867 Fenian Rising and executions). lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
What was the main demand of the Irish Volunteers in the late eighteenth century?
Listen
Irish nationalism from c1774 to c1870 evolved through constitutional agitation and violent rebellion. The Irish Volunteers demanded free trade and legislative independence, achieved via the constitution of 1782. Conversely, the United Irishmen sought Catholic emancipation and a republic, culminating in the failed 1798 rebellion. Daniel O'Connell and the Repeal Association campaigned peacefully to repeal the Union, while the Tithe Wars violently resisted Anglican tithes. Young Ireland's 1848 rebellion was swiftly crushed. The Irish Republican Brotherhood launched the 1867 Fenian Rising; although a military failure, the subsequent executions of Fenians generated immense sympathy and momentum for future home rule campaigns. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Distinguishes early demands: the Irish Volunteers sought legislative independence and free trade (achieving the 1782 constitution), whereas the United Irishmen demanded Catholic emancipation and a republic. Analyses the 1798 rebellion: led by the United Irishmen, it failed due to poor coordination and repression, resulting in the Act of Union 1800. Evaluates Daniel O'Connell and the Repeal Association: mass peaceful meetings aimed at repealing the Union, alongside the Tithe Wars resisting Anglican Church payments. Assesses the impact of Young Ireland and the IRB: the 1848 rebellion failed, but the 1867 Fenian Rising and subsequent executions in Manchester aroused lasting public sympathy. A common slip: stating the 1782 constitution gave Ireland full independence. Instead, it gave legislative independence but the British monarch and executive retained control. Exam tip: Compare methods: contrast the constitutional approach of O'Connell's Repeal Association with the physical force of the United Irishmen, Young Ireland, and the IRB.
Put the events in order
Put these events in the order they happened, earliest first.
- 1. Fenian Rising launched by the Irish Republican Brotherhood
- 2. Constitution granted legislative independence to Ireland
- 3. Young Ireland rebellion was swiftly crushed
- 4. Rebellion of the United Irishmen failed
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Constitutional nationalism vs physical force
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Catholic emancipation and religious grievances
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Impact of failed rebellions on public opinion
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Constitutional nationalism vs physical force
- A contrast between peaceful campaigning to repeal the Union and the violent rebellion pursued by the United Irishmen, Young Ireland and the Irish Republican Brotherhood.
- Catholic emancipation and religious grievances
- The demand of the United Irishmen, alongside a republic, and the Catholic grievances linked to the Tithe Wars resisting Anglican tithes.
- Impact of failed rebellions on public opinion
- The 1848 rebellion was crushed, but the 1867 Fenian Rising and subsequent executions aroused lasting public sympathy and momentum for future home rule campaigns.
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Test your understanding of Paper 3, Option 36.2: Ireland and the Union, c1774–1923 - 1 Irish nationalism: from agitation to civil war: Agitation and rebellion, c1774–c1870: the demands of the Irish Volunteers and the United Irishmen (key development: the constitution of 1782 and the rebellion of 1798); the role of Daniel O’Connell and the Repeal Association; the Tithe Wars; the impact of Young Ireland and of the Irish Republican brotherhood (key developments: the 1848 rebellion and the 1867 Fenian Rising and executions).
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