Catholic Emancipation Act

Act of Parliament (1829).

Preliminary Discussions about Catholic Emancipation

In concession for the approval of the Union between Britain and Ireland British Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger had offered emancipation for the Catholics, but King George III was adamantly against it. Thus, in spite of the Union in 1801, nothing had been done by the British Government to grant it. While the question of Irish emancipation was addressed to the Parliament in London the petitions were turned down by the great majority of both houses. Young barristers such as Daniel O'Connell frequently addressed this topic and other social issues of equality. O’Connell decided to employ a different strategy to achieve Catholic emancipation: Rather than petition for emancipation it was necessary for him to create a democratic social movement.

The Catholic Association as a Mass Movement and Its Political Implication

The Catholic Association, founded in 1823, was not only involved in religious and church-related matters but was also active in addressing political and social problems. O’Connell did show concern for the problems of the Irish peasantry, i.e. poverty and land reform and was also able to win the support of the Catholic clergy. They did not only collect money for the organization, but also preached the sermon of Irish independence and Catholic emancipation. Due to these circumstances religion, politics and social action merged into a powerful movement. Furthermore, O’Connell was able to create a mass basis for his movement: As the fee for the organi-sation was only a penny, poor people were able to join and it was therefore not restricted to the moneyed classes.

After establishing a mass basis and an ideology, the Catholic Association took part in Irish local elections, they were allowed to run in the election but a Catholic candidate was not able to be elected. The first step in the new strategy of the Catholic Association, i.e. to voice concern about Irish emancipation in British Parliament, was taken in 1826, when the Protestant nobleman Villiers Stuart won over the Waterford parliamentary seat from the Beresfords. By supporting the Catholic cause Stuart secluded himself from the mainstream public opinion in the Protestant community in Ireland and in Britain which was not in favour of emancipation. His victory was mainly ensured by the 40 shilling freeholders and by the local clergy agitating for him. Gaining confidence from this victory everywhere in Ireland, counter candidates challenged the given order. The most famous case was the by-election in County Clare in 1828 where O’Connell himself was a candidate. By this move he not only challenged the local elites but also the laws directed against Catholics as they had the right to vote but only for Protestant candidates because Catholics were not allowed to sit in Parliament. During his campaign O’Connell combined Catholic interests with national elements thereby achieving a landslide victory.

The Catholic Emancipation Act

By his major success O’Connell forced the British Prime Minister and Parliament to discuss Catholic emancipation. The British Government under Peel and Wellington at first tried to gain time by investigating the election and by considering banning the Catholic Association. The first step was considered as too explosive and the second became redundant as O’Connell dissolved his organization before the Government could act. Therefore the only perspective was to introduce the legislation of the Catholic Emancipation Bill to Parliament. The Bill was passed and became an Act of Parliament. It allowed Catholics to sit in Parliament and to take high ranks in the military and in politics. However, they were not allowed to become Prime Minister or Monarch. In total it can be stated that by this legislation Catholics and Protestants moved towards a state of quasi equality.

Sources

Kramer, Jürgen. Britain and Ireland A Concise History. London: Routledge, 2007.

Maurer, Michael. Kleine Geschichte Irlands. Stuttgart: Reclam, 2009.