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What were Daniel O’Connell’s most important aims and to what extent did he achieve them? - Leaving Cert History - Question 1 - 2012
Question 1
What were Daniel O’Connell’s most important aims and to what extent did he achieve them?
Worked Solution & Example Answer:What were Daniel O’Connell’s most important aims and to what extent did he achieve them? - Leaving Cert History - Question 1 - 2012
Step 1
What were Daniel O’Connell’s most important aims?
Answer
Daniel O’Connell, known as the 'Liberator,' had several key aims during his political career:
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Repeal of the Act of Union: O’Connell aimed to restore the independent parliament in Dublin, believing that Irish issues would be best addressed by an Irish legislature.
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Catholic Emancipation: His primary goal was to secure civil rights for Catholics in Ireland, enabling them to sit in parliament and hold public office.
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Advocacy for Nationalism: O’Connell strongly promoted the idea of Irish nationalism, urging the Irish people to unite for their rights and freedoms.
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Social Reforms: He sought various social reforms that aimed to improve the living conditions of the Irish population.
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Education: O’Connell believed in the importance of education as a means to elevate the Irish people.
These aims collectively aimed to enhance the political, social, and economic conditions for the Irish populace, fostering a sense of Irish identity and community.
Step 2
To what extent did he achieve them?
Answer
O’Connell's achievements can be analyzed as follows:
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Catholic Emancipation (Achieved): O’Connell's most significant victory was the passage of the Catholic Relief Act in 1829, which granted Catholics the right to sit in parliament and hold public office.
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Repeal of the Act of Union (Not Achieved): While he campaigned vigorously for repeal, O’Connell was unsuccessful in his lifetime. His Repeal Association was active, but the British government remained unyielding.
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Nationalism and Unity (Partially Achieved): O’Connell successfully galvanized many Irish people around the cause of nationalism, albeit with limitations; divisions based on sectarian lines persisted.
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Social Reforms (Partially Achieved): While he raised awareness about the plight of the poor, many systemic social issues remained unaddressed by the time of his death in 1847.
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Educational Aims (Partially Achieved): O’Connell advocated for education, but widespread reform in the education system lagged behind expectations.
In summary, O’Connell was instrumental in achieving significant advancements in Catholic rights and raising political consciousness, yet many of his broader ambitions remained unfulfilled or only partially realized.