British Imperialism in Ireland

1. British Imperialism in Ireland Luke Kohler

2. Home Core 1 Core 2 Motives Independence Michael Collins Geography Easter Rebellion Video Methods Modern Ireland Northern Ireland Troubles Primary Source Graphs Conclusion

3. Motives For Imperialism • Religion- Irish were Catholic and British were Protestant • Political- close neighbors and Ireland’s geography

4. Geography • Ireland and Great Britain are very close neighbors • Ireland had strategic position • Posed possible threat to England home

5. Methods of Imperialism • Legal rights denied to Catholics • 1801 Act of Union passed-made Ireland part of the UK • One million Irish died from potato famine 1846-1850- Irish couldn’t pay rent or meet quotas of British landlords • Revolts beat down brutally by British Army • British army mistreated Irish civilians • Extremist leaders executed • “Justice for Ireland” –primary source home

6. Gaining Independence • Ultranationalist groups-Catholic Irish Volunteers and Sinn Fein • 1916-Easter Rebellion • Irish Volunteers becomes IRA (Irish Republic Army) • Michael Collins leads IRA • 1919-1921 IRA use guerilla attacks on British officials, loyalists, and British army • British attack civilians and cause more anger • December 6, 1921 most of Ireland gains independence

7. Easter Rebellion • 1916 • Irish tried to take Dublin from the British but failed • Many Irish leaders executed • Inspired nationalism and more rebellion • Video

8. Video – Easter Rebellion This video is about the Easter Rebellion and how it really got the revolution in Ireland going and changed the views of the people to oppose the British. It is clips from the movie Michael Collins and the song tells the story. Video

9. Michael Collins • Irish Revolutionary leader • Helped lead Easter Rebellion • Helped lead the IRA • Assassinated August 1922 home

10. Modern Ireland • Government- republic, parliamentary democracy • Common law system based on English model but modified. • 87.4% of population is still Catholic • Northern Ireland troubles • 99% literacy rate • 14.7% unemployment • Much better shape than it was under British rule! • The people are proud and happy

11. Northern Ireland Troubles • Began October 5, 1968 at civil rights march • Northern Ireland still remained under British rule after 1921 • Many Nationalist Catholics wanted to unify Northern Ireland with the rest of Ireland, Protestants wanted to remain part of the UK • England stopped Northern Ireland from self governing • 3,600 people killed, 50,000 injured • April 10, 1998 Good Friday Agreement ends conflict • Northern Ireland remains part of UK but is self-governed

12. Graphs This graph shows how under British rule Ireland’s people were poor. After they gained independence the average income rose more sharply. This graph shows how under British rule Ireland’s life expectancy was very low compared to Ireland after British rule. home

13. Primary Source On February 4, 1836, Daniel O'Connell gave aspeech in the House of Commons calling for equal justice. Daniel O’Connell was an influential leader in Ireland during the 1800’s. This speech was called “Justice for Ireland” and O’Connell was expressing how England was treating the Irish people unfairly and he was calling upon the English people to treat Ireland better. Justice for Ireland home

14. Conclusion Under British rule Ireland’s people were oppressed and treated unfairly. The British tried to force them to change their religious beliefs and they tarnished their pride. When the Irish finally had enough they rose up and gained their independence. There have been more clashes between these two nations since Ireland gained independence but, today the Irish people are in much better shape than they were under imperialist rule. home