Absolutism In Ireland Essay
307 Words2 Pages
Unionists feel that if Roman Catholics won The War of the Two Kings and persevered their land to its original state, Ireland would not have a deep-seated relationship with Great Britain. Unionistâs however, are very grateful for these relations and believe it has established them as a great and united country. Historians Moody and Martin state, âThe sense of national unity manifested itself in the removal of a number of religious, social and economic disabilities which in the past had been imposed on the Irish Catholics, though it should be quickly added that generosity was checked by caution. Only extreme liberals were prepared to allow Catholics a share in political powerâ (204). Since Protestants have always recognized and rejoiced the British having a positive role in Ireland, the unity that resulted from the war was viewed as a triumph to Protestants then and Unionists now. After the victory of William of Orange the penal laws were set into place. These laws motived about 5,500 Catholics elite to convert to Protestantism. As the penal laws were solidified into the Irish law system, for the next century Ireland was controlled by Protestant elite, known as the protestant Ascendancy. However, this elite group did not want the majority of Catholics to convert, so the Ascendancy would maintain their high power position. This governmental position lead to protestants powerful political role in Ireland today. Although Nationalism has had many Protestant leaders, Unionists were inevitably always led by Protestant leaders and politicians. The War of the Two Kings set precedence for contemporary Irelands political structure to be centered around religious innuendoes.