Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
Ireland and the Union, c1774–1923 - 4 The Irish land issue, 1870–82: The…
Full specification wording
Paper 3, Option 36.2: Ireland and the Union, c1774–1923 - 4 The Irish land issue, 1870–82: The impact of the ‘long depression’ on Irish agriculture, the problem of tenancies, evictions and rent strikes.
The 'long depression' from the mid-1870s brought falling agricultural prices, especially for grain and livestock, which hit Irish tenant farmers hard.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 3
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
The 'long depression' from the mid-1870s brought falling agricultural prices, especially for grain and livestock, which hit Irish tenant farmers hard. Many held small, uneconomic tenancies with insecure tenure, making them vulnerable to rent increases and eviction. As incomes fell, tenants struggled to pay rents, leading to evictions and the growth of rent strikes, notably during the Land War of 1879–82. These pressures exposed the inadequacy of earlier land legislation and intensified demands for fair rent, fixity of tenure and free sale. The resulting agitation reshaped Irish rural society and forced further government intervention.
What earns the marks
- Explains how the 'long depression' caused falling agricultural prices and reduced incomes for Irish tenant farmers, making rent payment more difficult.
- Analyses the problem of tenancies: small holdings, insecure tenure, and competition for land left tenants vulnerable to rent increases and eviction.
- Assesses the impact of evictions and rent strikes, including their role in the Land War and the formation of organisations such as the Land League.
- Evaluates how these pressures contributed to demands for land reform and influenced subsequent legislation, such as the Land Act 1881.
- Uses specific examples, such as the role of Michael Davitt or the events of the Land War, to illustrate the impact on rural communities.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Treating the 'long depression' as a single sudden event.
Put it right: It was a prolonged period of falling prices and economic difficulty from the mid-1870s, with cumulative effects on agriculture.
Assuming all tenants were equally affected.
Put it right: Impact varied by region, farm size and type of agriculture, with smallholders in the west particularly vulnerable.
Confusing rent strikes with outright refusal to pay any rent ever.
Put it right: Rent strikes were organised withholding of rent as a protest, often linked to demands for fair rent and secure tenure.
Exam tips
- Link economic pressures directly to social and political responses, such as evictions, rent strikes and the Land League, to show causation.
- Use precise terminology: distinguish between tenancies, evictions, rent strikes and the Land War, and explain how they relate.
- Incorporate specific evidence, such as named individuals, organisations or events, to support analysis of impact.
Try the lesson
The start of the Paper 3, Option 36.2: Ireland and the Union, c1774–1923 - 4 The Irish land issue, 1870–82: The impact of the ‘long depression’ on Irish agriculture, the problem of tenancies, evictions and rent strikes. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
How did the 'long depression' of the late 1870s specifically impact the agricultural economy of Ireland?
Listen
The 'long depression' from the mid-1870s brought falling agricultural prices, especially for grain and livestock, which hit Irish tenant farmers hard. Many held small, uneconomic tenancies with insecure tenure, making them vulnerable to rent increases and eviction. As incomes fell, tenants struggled to pay rents, leading to evictions and the growth of rent strikes, notably during the Land War of 1879–82. These pressures exposed the inadequacy of earlier land legislation and intensified demands for fair rent, fixity of tenure and free sale. The resulting agitation reshaped Irish rural society and forced further government intervention. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explains how the 'long depression' caused falling agricultural prices and reduced incomes for Irish tenant farmers, making rent payment more difficult. Analyses the problem of tenancies: small holdings, insecure tenure, and competition for land left tenants vulnerable to rent increases and eviction. Assesses the impact of evictions and rent strikes, including their role in the Land War and the formation of organisations such as the Land League. Evaluates how these pressures contributed to demands for land reform and influenced subsequent legislation, such as the Land Act 1881. A common slip: treating the 'long depression' as a single sudden event. Instead, it was a prolonged period of falling prices and economic difficulty from the mid-1870s, with cumulative effects on agriculture. Exam tip: Link economic pressures directly to social and political responses, such as evictions, rent strikes and the Land League, to show causation.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Economic depression and agriculture
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Tenant insecurity and eviction
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Rent strikes and collective action
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Land War and political mobilisation
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See every definition
- Economic depression and agriculture
- A prolonged period of falling prices and economic difficulty from the mid-1870s, with cumulative effects on agriculture.
- Tenant insecurity and eviction
- Small holdings, insecure tenure and competition for land left tenants vulnerable to rent increases and eviction.
- Rent strikes and collective action
- Organised withholding of rent as a protest, often linked to demands for fair rent and secure tenure.
- Land War and political mobilisation
- Agitation of 1879–82 in which rent strikes grew and organisations such as the Land League were formed.
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