Irish Opinion and the American Revolution, 1760-1783

by Vincent Morley

Overview

This ground-breaking study traces the impact of the American Revolution on political consciousness in Ireland, from the beginning of colonial unrest in 1760 until the end of hostilities in 1783. Vincent Morley investigates popular opinion among Catholics, Anglicans and Presbyterians in the period, using a dazzling array of sources, including Irish-language documents unknown to other scholars and previously unpublished. The book 's detailed narrative, nuanced analysis and broad focus make a major contribution to the history of Ireland.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521813860
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	07/18/2002
Pages:	378
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 9.02(h) x 0.98(d)

About the Author

Vincent Morley was previously a researcher with the Royal Irish Academy and has lectured in Irish history at the National University of Ireland.

Table of Contents

Preface; Textual note; List of abbreviations; Introduction; 1. Imperial unrest, 1760–75; 2. Colonial rebellion, 1775–8; 3. International war, 1778–81; 4. Britain defeated, 1781–3; Postscript; Bibliography; Index.

Editorial Reviews

"One of the merits of the original study, Irish Opinion and the American Revolution, 1760-1783 by Vincent Morley, is the inclusion of Gaelic manuscripts in its impressive array of sources." Irish Times

"...Morley's book should be warmly welcomed by all students and scholars of late eighteenth-century Ireland." American Historical Review

"Richly researched...an impressive variety of primary sources....Irish Opinion and the American Revolution represents a useful contribution to Irish and American history..." History

"Morley draws impressively on an extensive range of contemporary literature.... Recommended." Choice

"This is a book that is essential to its topic and admirable in its judicious handling of a fascinating subject. It is a model of the new transatlantic history." The Historian

"...I find Morley's research impressive and his analysis compelling. He has significantly enhanced our ability to understand events of the late eighteenth century in their own context rather than in that of later periods." - Journal of Modern History, David W. Miller, Carnegie Mellon University

From the Publisher

Attempting to isolate the particular influence of the American Revolution on Ireland, Morley (former lecturer in Irish history, National U. of Ireland) traces the evolution of Irish public attitudes towards Britain from the beginning of colonial unrest in the 1760s until the end of hostilities in 1783. American influence is considered as having resulted from the operation of an example of resistance to British rule and from altered political circumstances arising from the war. The beginning of the book tends to focus on populations as being divided among religious affiliations (Catholic, Anglican, and Presbyterian), while later chapters focuses more on political differences, although, of course, it is often difficult to fully separate the two. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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