Question 1
Using these four sources in their historical context, assess how far they support the view that Peel
was aggressive in his approach to Irish issues.
Source A: The leader of the Repeal Association addresses his supporters at a ‘monster meeting’.
Gentleman, I believe our English repressors have decided to put us to the test. In the midst of peace and tranquillity they are covering our land with troops. As long as the Act of Union exists we will stand against it. We will violate no law, we shall attack no enemy; but you are much mistaken if you think others will not attack you. What are Irishmen that they should be denied equality? Are we to be called slaves? Are we to be trampled under foot? Peel and Wellington intend to crush you but, by God, they never shall.
D. O’Connell, speech, 1843
Source B: In closing the Maynooth debate in the House of Commons, the Prime Minister recalls the situation at the height of the Repeal campaign. Adapted from H Martin, 'Britain in the 19th Century', p145, Thomas Nelson and Sons, 1996. Item removed due to third party copyright restrictions.
R. Peel, speech, 18 April 1845
Source C: The chief civil servant at the Treasury explains the government’s initial response to the news of famine in Ireland.
On the first appearance of the blight in the autumn of 1845, leading academics were appointed by Peel to inquire into the nature of it and how best to preserve the stock of potatoes. The next step was to order, from the USA, £100,000 worth of maize. It was thought that the shortage of potatoes might be filled, with the least disturbance of private trade and market prices, by the introduction of a new popular food. Because of the prohibitory duty, maize was unknown. Private traders could not complain of interference in a trade that did not exist. However, to avoid doubts that the government was in breach of the Corn Laws, pains were taken to keep the transactions secret.
C.E. Trevelyan, The Irish Crisis, 1848
Source D: The author, who experienced the famine, and subsequently became a Fenian, provides his views on the cause of the crisis in 1845.
Although the potato crop failed in 1845, other crops grew well and the grain and cattle in the country were sufficient to sustain three times the 9,000,000 people in Ireland. English landlords seized those supplies of food and sent them out of the country and then raised the cry that there was ‘famine’ in the land. The producers of this food were left to starve or fly the country. There was no famine, but, instead, plunder of the Irish people by the English government. The coroner’s juries, called upon to give judgement in cases of people found dead, brought in verdicts of murder against the English government.
Jeremiah O’Donovan Rossa, Rossa’s Recollections, 1898
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Answer
