Jan 27 Radicalism, Nationalism, and the American Crisis


Vertical (traditional)


Horizontal (human rights philosophy)

rulers exercise supreme power because they are closer to God than other human beings

groups within society enjoy certain privileges based on birth and customs

all politically active individuals possess the same rights by their nature as humans

sanctity of the king or queen

sanctity of the individual

aristocracy and monarchy

democracy

close connection between religion and politics

separation of church and state

I. Atlantic age of revolution
time line


II. Responses
conservatism and radicalism

A. John Wilkes (1725-1797)
The North Briton

unreformed parliament (rotten boroughs; pocket boroughs)

B. Irish Patriots
the Ascendancy
Poyning's Law / Declaratory Act
Navigation Acts

William Molyneux (1656-98)
Patriots / Volunteers
Henry Flood (1732-91)
Henry Grattan (1746-1820)


III. the American crisis

> discussion of Breen

 

Henry Grattan: "I have found Ireland on her knees. I watched over her with an eternal solicitude; I have traced her progress from injuries to arms and from arms to liberty. Spirit of Swift! Spirit of Molyneux! Your genius had prevailed! Ireland is now a nation. In that new character I hail her!