Why The Penal Laws Failed

Part I of Essay
During the eighteenth century many Protestant leaders in Ireland became increasingly nervous about the gradually augmenting wealth and power of the Catholics who inhabited Ireland. In an attempt to cease the growth of the Catholics and in truth, try to convert as many Catho ....

Part II of Essay
.... several desperate attempts to abolish the Catholics from Ireland. The first penal law was implemented into the Irish community on December 24, 1691 when William and Mary made an Anti Catholic declaration for the oath of supremacy. The oath banned all Catholics from becoming members of the parliament or any other position of power. Catholics could not practice law, run for office, purchase land or own land, vote, enter any profession, hold arms, guard a child or educated his/her child. The purpose of setting up such laws was to lessen the over ....