Resource : Ireland’s uprising (1798)

The move, led by the United Irishmen, to drive through a fully-fledged anti-colonial rebellion against British rule, inspired by the American and French revolutions.

Resource : Revolutionary ideas

Radical thinkers of the Age of Revolution and the seismic impacts of their extraordinary ideas about equality, rights and freedoms.

Resource : American revolution

How the American colonies defied Britain, one of the mightiest powers on earth, to secure their independence and form a new federal republic – the United States of America.

Resource : Bust of Jean-Jaques Dessalines (1758 – 1806)

Jean-Jacques Dessalines (1758 – 1806) was born into slavery in St Domingue (now Haiti) on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola. Following a mass uprising of enslaved people of African origin – the only successful slave revolt in history – and a series of bloody battles and reprisals, Dessalines eventually became the first ruler of Haiti, the world’s first modern independent ‘black’ republic. The events in St Domingue became known as the Haitian Revolution.

Resource : Toussaint Louverture, Chief of the French Rebels in St Domingo

Toussaint Louverture (1743 – 1803) was born into slavery in St Domingue (now Haïti) on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola. In 1791 he led the first – and only – successful uprising of enslaved Africans. Although he died before the revolution spawned a nation, in 1804 Haiti became the first independent ‘black’ republic and contributed to the decline of the transatlantic slave trade. The events in St Domingue became known as the Haitian Revolution. This and other depictions of Louverture (in print and portraiture) reflected the high levels of fascination and respect expressed around the world for a radical figure who had refused to yield and who surmounted all foes in the revolutionary contests.

Resource : James Hope’s Death Mask

This is the death mask of James Hope, a leading activist in the Society of United Irishmen. He is regarded today as having been the most egalitarian and socialist of the United Irishmen leadership.