April 18  reactions

key terms: "the modern", Society of United Irishmen, Theobold Wolfe Tone, War of the First Coalition, nationalism, Edmund Burke

the birth of the modern world?

"the imperial meridian" (Bayly)


radical response
Charles James Fox, William Wordsworth, Thomas Paine
London Corresponding Society (1792)
Society of United Irishmen (1791)
Theobold Wolfe Tone
The Northern Star
Declarations of the Societies of United Irishmen (1791)


Tone 1763-1798

European warfare and nationalism

British response
repressive legislation
suspension of Habeas Corpus (1794)
Treasonable and Seditious Practices Act (1795)
Seditious Assemblies Act (1795)
conservative backlash
Edmund Burke 1729-1797


radicalization of the SUI
1798 rebellion
Act of Union (1800)


United Irish catechism (1797)


What is that in your hand?  It is a branch.
Of what?  Of the Tree of Liberty.
Where did it first grow?  In America.
Where does it bloom?  In France.
Where did the seeds fall?  In Ireland.







Declaration of the Societies of United Irishmen, 1791
         "In the present great era of reform, when unjust governments are falling in every quarter of Europe; when religious persecution is compelled to abjure her tyranny over conscience; when the rights of man are ascertained in theory, and that theory substantiated by practice; when antiquity can no longer defend absurd and oppressive forms, against the common sense and common interests of mankind; when all government is acknowledged to originate from the people, and to be so far only obligatory as it protects their rights and promotes their welfare:  We think it our duty, as Irishmen, to come forward, and state what we feel to be our heavy grievance, and what we know to be its effectual remedy.  WE HAVE NO NATIONAL GOVERNMENT; are ruled by Englishmen, and the servants of Englishmen, whose object is the interest of another country, whose instrument is corruption, and whose strength is the weakness of Ireland; and these men have the whole of the power and patronage of the country, as means to seduce and to subdue the honesty and the spirit of her representatives in the legislature. Such an extrinsic power, acting with uniform force in a direction too frequently opposite to the true line of our obvious interests, can be resisted with effect solely by unanimity, decision, and spirit in the people; qualities which may be exerted most legally, constitutionally, and efficaciously, by that great measure essential to the prosperity and freedom of Ireland. . .
        Impressed with these sentiments, we have agreed to form an association, to be called 'THE SOCIETY OF UNITED IRISHMEN:' And we do pledge ourselves to our country, and mutually to each other, that we will steadily support, and endeavor, by all due means, to carry into effect, the following resolutions:
         First, Resolved, That the weight of English influence in the Government of this country is so great, as to require a cordial union among ALL THE PEOPLE OF IRELAND, to maintain that balance which is essential to the preservation of our liberties, and the extension of our commerce.
         Second, That the sole constitutional mode by which this influence can be opposed, is by a complete and radical reform of the representation of the people in Parliament.
         Third, That no reform is practicable, efficacious, or just, which shall not include Irishmen of every religious persuasion.
         Satisfied, as we are, that the intestine divisions among Irishmen have too often given encouragement and impunity to profligate, audacious, and corrupt Administrations, in measures which, but for these divisions, they durst not have attempted; we submit our resolutions to the nation, as the basis of our political faith.”