Making Empire: Ireland, Imperialism, and the Early Modern World

Making Empire explores the history of empire in Ireland during the early modern period, focusing on how it shaped the present and how it might shape the future. It argues that Ireland was an integral part of the English imperial system, that the Irish operated as agents of empire, that Ireland served as a laboratory for the English empire, and that the impact of empire on people living in Ireland was significant. The book suggests that colonization was an iterative and durable process that impacted different parts of Ireland at different times and in different ways, and that imperialism was about the exercise of power, violence, coercion, and expropriation.

Format: Hardback
Length: 368 pages
Publication date: 09 November 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Empire and imperial frameworks, policies, practices, and cultures have shaped the history of the world for the last two millennia. It is nation states that are the blip on the historical horizon. Making Empire re-examines empire as process—and Ireland's role in it—through the lens of early modernity. It covers the two hundred years, between the mid-sixteenth century and the mid-eighteenth century, that equate roughly to the timespan of the First English Empire (c.1550-c.1770s).

Ireland was England's oldest colony. How then did the English empire actually function in early modern Ireland and how did this change over time? What did access to European empires mean for people living in Ireland? This book answers these questions by interrogating four interconnected themes.

First, that Ireland formed an integral part of the English imperial system.

Second, that the Irish operated as agents of empire(s).

Third, Ireland served as laboratory in and for the English empire.

Finally, it examines the impact that empire(s) had on people living in early modern Ireland.

Even though the book's focus will be on Ireland and the English empire, the Irish were trans-imperial and engaged with all of the early modern imperial powers. It is therefore critical, where possible and appropriate, to look to other European and global empires for meaningful comparisons and connections in this era of expansionism.

What becomes clear is that colonisation was not a single occurrence but an iterative and durable process that.

The English Empire was a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that had a profound impact on the history of Ireland and the wider world. In this essay, we will explore the history of the English Empire in Ireland, examining its origins, development, and consequences.

Origins of the English Empire in Ireland:

The English Empire in Ireland began in the mid-sixteenth century with the arrival of English settlers in the country. These settlers were primarily from England, Scotland, and Wales, and they brought with them their language, culture, and religion. The English government soon began to exert control over the Irish population, and by the mid-seventeenth century, Ireland had become a part of the English Empire.

Development of the English Empire in Ireland:

The English Empire in Ireland experienced a period of rapid development in the early eighteenth century. This was due in part to the growth of the linen industry, which was a major source of income for the country. The English government also began to invest in infrastructure, such as roads and bridges, which helped to connect the different parts of the country.

Consequences of the English Empire in Ireland:

The English Empire in Ireland had a number of negative consequences for the Irish population. One of the most significant was the imposition of English law and culture on the Irish people. This led to the loss of many of the Irish languages and traditions, and it also resulted in the marginalisation of the Irish Catholic Church.

Another consequence of the English Empire in Ireland was the economic exploitation of the Irish people. The English government imposed heavy taxes on the Irish population, which led to widespread poverty and hardship. This was particularly true in the countryside, where many farmers were forced to work on small plots of land and were unable to make a living.

The English Empire in Ireland also had a political impact. The English government used the Irish population as a tool to further its own political interests, and this led to the marginalisation of the Irish political elite. The English government also used the Irish Catholic Church to further its own political agenda, and this led to the persecution of Irish Catholics.

In conclusion, the English Empire in Ireland had a profound impact on the history of the country and the wider world. The English government imposed English law and culture on the Irish people, leading to the loss of many of the Irish languages and traditions. The English government also imposed heavy taxes on the Irish population, leading to widespread poverty and hardship. The English Empire in Ireland also had a political impact, leading to the marginalisation of the Irish political elite and the persecution of Irish Catholics.

Weight: 768g
Dimension: 164 x 241 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192867681