Parnell & O'Shea & Irish Politics

Abstract: An 8 page research paper that discusses the decade-long affair between Charles Stewart Parnell and Kitty O'Shea, which brought about the demise of Parnell's political career. In 1890, Great Britain was rocked by a scandal of monumental proportions. Charles Stewart Parnell, a member of Parliament and volatile spokesman in favor of Irish Home Rule, was named as the cause of a divorce by a fellow MP, Captain William O'Shea. The proceedings brought to light the fact that Parnell has been carrying on an affair with Mrs. O'Shea for the last decade. The Victorian world was shocked. Parnell's career went into decline and Ireland lost the perspective for Home Rule that had recently seemed so close. However, examination of their affair and its political ramifications shows that the shocking quality of scandal was not due to what would be judged a immoral conduct today, but rather was a result of the Victorian attitudes towards divorce. Bibliography lists 10 sources.

Filename: khposhea.rtf

Pages: 8

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Catagory:

Subcatagory: European History

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