1.1.1.2 The French Revolution + Rise of the United Irishmen

• The French Revolution led many to believe that more political autonomy could only be won with a union between Catholics and Protestants to challenge the dominant conservatism
• Inspired by the ideas of Theobald Wolfe Tone, who argued in favour of a reformed Irish Parliament without influence from the British crown, the first Society of United Irishmen was founded in Belfast in 1791
• Demands of the United Irishmen in their 1794 manifesto:

  1. Ireland would be divided into 300 constituencies
  2. Every man should have a vote
  3. Catholic emancipation
• Initially, the United Irishmen relied on the use of public opinion to bring change. However, as Britain resisted extending further powers, they adopted more aggressive tactics and failed to launch a successful invasion in 1796 due to bad weather