The Domino Effect: The American And French Revolutions

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The Domino Effect has a fairly simple concept, knock one down and the others quickly follow. Much like the Domino Effect, the American and French Revolutions; in equal manner, inspired the Irishmen to do the same. Motivations for the Irish Rebellion of 1798 remain a lengthy list. Owing to the success of the French and Americans during their revolutions, drove Irishmen into a revolt in hopes of triumph. Incentives for the rebellion led to several bloody and violent battles, which resulted in both beneficial and consequential outcomes; moreover, the impact of the uprising on the British pushed their Monarchist Government, into a Democratic society. (Encyclopedia of Britannica Inc, “Irish Rebellion”).

The initial cause of the rebellion of …show more content…

Where the irish rebels released “ a herd of cattle through the town's Duffry gate, creating disorder among the loyalist defenders. After a defense of about three hours, the loyalist force abandoned the town and fled in great disorder to Wexford.” ( hÉireann, Stair na “www.stairheireann.com”). And in the Battle of Oulart Hill, Where the United Irishmen created a distraction and “...went round the back of the hill to attack from the rere.” ( Battlefield Walking Hub “oularthill.ie”). But one of the most important battles was the Battle of Vinegar Hill, which took place in two separate locations, Vinegar Hill and on the streets of nearby Enniscorthy. 18,000 british troops… “...launched an attack on Vinegar Hill… which was then occupied by over 20,000 rebels and camp followers. This was the largest rebel camp and headquarters of the Wexford United Irishmen and their supporters.” (Vinegar Hill, “www.ireland.com”). This battle marked the turning point of the rebellion, it was the last major attempt by the rebels to hold and defend their ground from the British troops. This loss was a critical point for the United Irishmen, as… “... 1800 British troops invaded Wexford Republic, and defeated the Rebels…” (Smitha, Frank …show more content…

Fevered rumours of extirpation now appeared to have substance. In terror, the peasantry - United Irishmen or not - prepared to resist.” (Bartlett, Thomas “ The 1789 Irish Rebellion”). This specific excerpt displays that the revolt brought upon several challenges for the Irish, and weather the United Irishmen were prepared to defend their homeland or not, the repercussions of the British Crown were soon to be catastrophic. Although the victories of the rebels were stirring up quite an optimistic turn-out, the loss of the Battle of Vinegar Hill clearly crippled the Irish Rebellion Army, and set the vision of victory, down to a defeat. However, the French blindsided the British, on the 22 August of 1798, when they landed 1,000 French soldiers, and joined up with 5,000 local rebels and defeated the British at Castlebar. After their victory, they quickly established the “... Republic of Connaught” (Smitha, Frank “www.fsmitha.com”). But the so-called “Republic” collapsed and set the rebels back to square one. But the victory of Castlebar inspired the uprisings of “...Longford and Westmeath in the middle of Ireland, which the British quickly defeated. On 8 September the French were defeated at the Battle of Ballinamuck in Longford

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