2. Module 2584 : Peel 1829-46 Peel and Ireland

3. Early Career 1812 appointed as Chief Secretary for Ireland Made early attempts at ending discrimination Later seen as Protestant champion

4. Early Career (2) As early as 1814 Peel clashed with Daniel 0’Connell Peel resigned as Irish Secretary in 1817 Had reputation of being determined opponent of Catholic Emancipation

5. The Catholic Association As a result of the Act of Union Ireland lost its parliament Laws prevented Catholics from taking public office O’Connell began his campaign with the formation of the Catholic Association

6. The Catholic Rent Money raised through the Penny Rent O’Connell had brought together number of key elements Now began to contest elections

7. The County Clare Election O’Connell successfully contested the seat & defeated Vesey Fitzgerald This now presented Peel & Wellington with a problem

8. Peel’s Conversion Peel wrote to Wellington saying that “though emancipation was a great danger, civil strife was a greater danger”. Wellington threatened to resign and George IV reluctantly agreed to Emancipation

9. Consequences of Emancipation Split in Tory ranks – Ultras furious Helped to bring about end of Wellington’s career Could have been the end of Peel – vilified as betrayer of Tory principles ‘Orange Peel’ became ‘Lemon Peel’!

11. What next? O’Connell’s place as national hero assured During 1830s worked with Whigs to try to get more concessions After 1841 planned to go on the offensive O’Connell being pressurised by Young Ireland 1843 declared as year to end Act of Union

12. Clontarf, 1843 O’Connor hoped to intimidate Peel Meeting planned at Clontarf Authorities banned the meeting O’Connell arrested on conspiracy charges

13. Peel’s attempts to win Catholic support 1843 The Devon Commission – Failure! 1844 The Charitable Bequests Act – Success! 1845 Maynooth Grant – Success! 1845 The Academic Colleges Act – Failure!

14. The Great Famine Much of Ireland owned by absentee landlords Wheat grown for export Population dependent upon the potato for food Crop destroyed by Blight As people starved food ships left Ireland Peel forced to take action

15. The Corn Laws Dated from 1815 Opposition to them from this time Peel in 1841 was not in favour of repeal By 1843 had been ‘converted’ to idea of Free Trade Repeal of Corn Laws brought forward by Famine

16. The Crisis of the Corn Laws Protectionism was key issue in Conservative Party Disraeli led Conservative revolt against Peel Peel won but party was split Peel resigned 1846