Causes of the Easter Rising

Carsonism
1. Carson's seemingly effective resistance to Home Rule led nationalists to believe the only effective form of opposition included force.
2. IRB infiltrated the IVF the scene was set for the rising
3. Forming the Irish Volunteers MacNeill was acknowledging by imitation the success of UVF.
4. Pearse committed Home Ruler, before being influenced by the UVF
  1. Ulster Crisis Carson forced Redmond to play 2nd Fiddle and Carson's tactics further polarised Irish politics.
5. Carson Given own regiment for UVF (36th Ulster)
Outbreak of the First World War
1. Brought an indefinite postponement of HR - placed on statute books 18/09/1914
  1. Created a political vacuum which rebels exploited.
2. It divided nationalists - moderate and advanced now seen clearly
3. Redmond supports war effort
  1. Asked British to withdraw troops in Ireland and to allow IVF and UVF to defend the coast.
  2. His Maryborough speech appealed to both unionists and nationalists
  3. Woodenbridge speech divides moderate and advanced nationalists within the Irish Volunteers
    1. National Volunteers under Redmond
    2. Irish Volunteers under McNeill
  4. Redmond refuses to be part of wartime coalition MAY 1915
4. Anti-British Feeling increase erupted as huge loss of life at western front as well as fear of consrpition being brought to ireland
5. Irish were not given there own division unlike Carson and the UVF
6. War curtailed emigration
The role of individuals
1. IRB, IVF and ICA brought under umbrella movement
  1. Role of IRB is vital as infiltrated various nationalist groups such as Gaelic League
    1. Without IRB the rising would not have taken place
2. Revolution of intellectuals
  1. Blood sacrifice and martyrdom complex. Pearce, Plunkett & MacDonagh all spoke of this. Rising was described as 'Revolution of Intellectuals'
3. Inspiration from Unionists: Adopted militant tactics which his opponents were using with success
The role of New Nationalism
1. GAA and Gaelic League activities created atmosphere of revolt
2. Was closely with the Gaelic League
3. Revival of the Gaelic Language - claimed the language of nationality
4. Committed to romantic to romantic vision of Ireland
5. League branches infiltrated by IRB
Government errors
1. Castle Document 19th April used by the rebels to convince volunteer leaders to support the Rising. Document claimed British were trying to surpress movement
2. Dublin Castle officials could have acted more decisively and on intelligence reports to thwart plans of the IRB
3. Used IPP to advise him
4. Errors leading up to the rising
5. Army became alarmed - MARCH 1916 - by intercepted messages about potential rising
  1. 25th MARCH - Castle authorities arrested Blythe and Mellows and deported them.
Clarke, Plunkett and MacDonagh
1. Plunkett was one of the original members of the IRB Military Committee that was responsible for planning the rising
2. In 1915 MacDonagh joined the IRB.
3. 1913 MacDonagh & Plunkett attended inaugural meeting of the Irish Volunteers - placed on provisional Committee.
4. Clarke influential behind the scenes in prep. for rising. Clarke revitalised the IRB and had a major role in setting up Irish Freedom newspaper.

Next up

Causes of the Easter Rising

Description

Resource summary

Media attachments

Similar

	Created by Jordon McCrory about 7 years ago