Overview
This document discusses the Fenian Movement and the Land War in Ireland during the late 19th century, highlighting their origins, goals, key events, and impact on Irish society and politics.
The Fenian Movement
- The Fenian Movement was a revolutionary nationalist organization founded in the 1850s aiming for Irish independence from British rule.
- It originated among Irish emigrants in the United States and spread to Ireland, forming the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB).
- The Fenians sought an armed uprising to end British control and establish an Irish republic.
- The movement organized the failed 1867 uprising, which was suppressed by British forces.
- Continued underground activity kept the spirit of rebellion alive despite government crackdowns.
The Land War
- The Land War began in the late 1870s, driven by tenant farmers’ frustration over rent, eviction, and lack of land rights.
- The Irish National Land League, led by Michael Davitt and Charles Stewart Parnell, campaigned for fair rent, fixity of tenure, and free sale.
- Mass meetings, rent strikes, and boycotts were used as tactics to pressure landlords and the government.
- The Land War led to significant agrarian agitation and widespread unrest in rural Ireland.
- The British government responded with a mix of coercion and reforms, passing the Land Act to address some tenant grievances.
Impact and Legacy
- The Fenian Movement and Land War significantly advanced the cause of Irish nationalism and highlighted tenant rights issues.
- They contributed to later reforms, rising political awareness, and the eventual move towards Irish self-government.
- The campaigns laid the groundwork for future nationalist and agrarian movements in Ireland.