Unit 2: 1700-1914

Northern Ireland @ 100

Unit 2: 1700-1914

On this page

  1. 1700-1800: Penal Laws, 1798 Rising, Act of Union 1800
  2. 1800-1900: Nationalism and Unionism
  3. 1900-1914: The Home Rule Crisis

Unit 2 begins in the period after King William III’s victories of 1689-1691. Pupils will learn how the most powerful elements of the Protestant minority in Ireland set out to secure their position against the Catholic majority. They did this by introducing a series of Penal Laws against Catholics in the Irish Parliament.

In 1798, a group of Presbyterians and Catholics joined together in an attempt to establish a secular Irish Republic which supported the ideals of the French revolution in Ireland: namely, a non-sectarian and democratic nation.

The rebellion was rapidly suppressed and led to the Act of Union in 1800, which brought Ireland more closely under British control. Whether to preserve, modify or replace this Act defined the terms of political developments in Ireland, including Ulster, during the 19th century.

Finally, pupils will discuss and evaluate how the emergence of Home Rule for Ireland as a policy from 1886 stimulated the growth of unionist opposition, reaching a climax in the period 1910-1914. The idea of Ulster being excluded from Home Rule became an aspiration for Ulster unionists, and a strong possibility.

Unit Intentions

Pupils will:

  1. Discuss how the events of 1700-1914 resulted in social and political divisions in Ulster, and how these divisions culminated in the possibility of Ulster being excluded from Home Rule.
  2. Explain how the developments in each of these three periods contributed to a legacy of mistrust and resentment.
  3. Demonstrate an understanding of the changes which took place during the period 1700-1914 through the use of digital media.

This video will provide pupils with an explanation of the background to the Home Rule Crisis of 1910-1914. View video image credits.

Areas of Learning

Environment and Society

History

Objective 1: Developing pupils as Individuals

Explore how history has affected their personal identity, culture and lifestyle.
(Personal Understanding)

Investigate how history has been selectively interpreted to create stereotypical perceptions and to justify views and actions.
(Mutual Understanding)

Objective 2: Developing pupils as Contributors to Society

Investigate the long and short term causes and consequences of the partition of Ireland and how it has influenced Northern Ireland today including key events and turning points.
(Citizenship)

Investigate critical issues in history or historical figures who have behaved ethically or unethically.
(Ethical Awareness)

Learning for Life and Work

Local and Global Citizenship

Diversity and Inclusion

Investigate factors that influence individual and group identity.

Investigate ways in which individuals and groups express their identity.

Investigate how and why conflict, including prejudice, stereotyping, sectarianism and racism, may arise in the community.

Language and Literacy

English with Media Education

Objective 1: Developing pupils as Individuals

Engage, through language, with their peers and with fictional and real-life characters and situations, to explore their own emotions and develop creative potential.
(Personal Understanding)

Explore and respond to others’ emotions as encountered in literature, the media, moving image and peer discussion.
(Mutual Understanding)

Demonstrate a willingness to challenge stereotypical, biased or distorted viewpoints with appropriately sensitive, informed and balanced responses.
(Moral Character)

Objective 2: Developing pupils as Contributors to Society

Use literature, drama, poetry or the moving image to explore others’ needs and rights.
(Citizenship)

Explore how different cultures and beliefs are reflected in a range of communication methods.
(Cultural Understanding)

Irish with Media Education

Objective 1: Developing pupils as Individuals

Engage, through language, with their peers and with fictional and real-life characters and situations, to explore their own emotions and develop creative potential.
(Personal Understanding)

Explore and respond to others’ emotions as encountered in literature, the media, moving image and peer discussion.
(Mutual Understanding)

Develop an understanding of the power of languages (including bi-lingualism and body language) to communicate and empathise with others.
(Mutual Understanding)

Demonstrate a willingness to challenge stereotypical, biased or distorted viewpoints with appropriately sensitive, informed and balanced responses.
(Moral Character)

Objective 2: Developing pupils as Contributors to Society

Use literature, drama, poetry or the moving image to explore others’ needs and rights.
(Citizenship)

Explore how different cultures, beliefs and language communities are reflected in a range of communication methods.
(Cultural Understanding)

The Arts

Art and Design

Objective 1: Developing pupils as Individuals

Express themselves through Art and Design.
(Personal Understanding)

Work with other pupils to produce a creative response to group expressions of identity.
(Mutual Understanding)

Objective 2: Developing pupils as Contributors to Society

Explore the diversity of various cultures that are expressed through Art & Design; for example, explore images, symbols and artefacts that express the range of cultural traditions in Northern Ireland.
(Cultural Understanding)

Drama

Objective 1: Developing pupils as Individuals

Explore and respond to the views and feelings of others.
(Mutual Understanding)

Explore issues related to Moral Character: Demonstrate the ability and willingness to challenge stereotypical, biased or distorted viewpoints.
(Moral Character)

Objective 2: Developing pupils as Contributors to Society

Explore how drama reflects and gives insight into a range of cultures, for example, represent cultural similarities/differences through performance etc.
(Cultural Understanding)

Tasks

We have developed some tasks to help pupils progress in a number of desirable skills for both UICT and Thinking Skills and Personal Capabilities. This unit helps pupils develop their knowledge, understanding and skills by engaging them in active learning activities and digital tasks.

Using ICT
  • Researching
  • Desktop Publishing
  • Working with Images
Thinking Skills and Personal Capabilities
  • Managing Information
  • Thinking, Problem-Solving, and Decision-Making
  • Being Creative
  • Working with Others
  • Self-Management