Catholic+Emancipation

__Catholic Emancipation Act:__
 * passed in 1829
 * permitted members of the Catholic church to sit in Parliament
 * was previouls illegal due to the oath that had to be sworn upon entry
 * this oath was against Catholic beliefs
 * although Catholics were not subjected to Penal Laws like those in Ireland, there was still prejudice against them
 * Catholics in Ireland were stil held from holding public office

__Daniel O'Connel__ __ l __
 * O'Connell was a democrat and a Dublin lawyer who had close contact with the social and economic problems of the Irish
 * 1828 - Daniel O'Connell, founder of the Catholic Association stood for elections in Ireland
 * although he became elected, he could not take his eat in the House of Commons
 * this then repeated the following year
 * O'Connell showed that extra-parliamentary pressure could lead to government action and encouraged other reformers to adopt similar tactics

__Support__
 * public became in favour of Catholic Emancipation
 * great number of support from the Whigs in the House of Lords
 * followers of Lord Grenville supported the act
 * strength of public opinon was expressed in newspapers

__The Passing of the Act__ Why?
 * was the lesser of two evils - were in fear of a religious civil war
 * House of Lords opinon rapidly shifted in response to public opinion
 * the action and determination of O'Connell convinced the Home Secretary and the Duke of Wellington

__The Struggle for Catholic Emancipation__


 * A lot of prejudice against Catholics in mainland Britain - Early 19th Century
 * Catholics were still stopped from holding public office ( not subjected to Penal Laws )
 * An oath ensured that Catholics could not be MP's, however it wasn't illegal for them to stand for Parliament.
 * Until 1823, there was no organisation which was able to channel the 'frustration and desire' for change by Irish Catholics.

__Instability in__ __government__

Duke of Wellington was split and decided for Catholic emancipation because :
 * Wellington decided that the Act of Catholic Emancipation was the lesser of two evils.
 * He believed it stopped the threat of revolution from Ireland.
 * Public supporters were heartened by the support of Emancipation.