Underlying Problems - growing Irish Nationalism
exacerbated by the failure of Home Rule, 3 attempts that
failed, began to change their minds and turn away from
being Constitutional Nationalists.
Trigger - World War One thought it was
expensive and ill authorised, rejected the idea
of an Irish Regiment, more radical Nationalists
saw this as a distraction for Britain, gained
German support.
Helped by the Nationalist organisations and
preparations, Irish Volunteers merged with the Irish
Republican Brotherhood. The start of public support
- new nationalism - Gaelic League.
Course of the Easter Rising
1) 24th April 1916 co-ordinated attacks and occupation of strategic
points in Dublin began, the Irish Nationalists took over the Post
Office in Dublin.
2) There was 1250 Irish Nationalists in Dublin
and 2-3,000 across Ireland.
3) Patrick Pearce made the Proclamation of the
Republic from the Post Office the Nationalists
had taken over in Dublin.
4) British Troops arrive quickly and began to
fight the Irish off and on 30th of April the Irish
surrendered.
5) 82 Irish men died in the
Easter Rising and 157 British
men were killed
Consequences of the Easter Rising
Irish public opinion initially wasn't
in the rebels favour.
General Maxwell - caused destruction in the centre of
Dublin, imprisonment of rebels was a total of 3,000 and
rebel leaders were executed. - This began to sway Irish
public opinion.
"Military failure but a moral victory."
Being in jail together helped the rebels to
organise themselves, creating Nationalist leaders
such as Michael Collins.
Reaction fuelled hostility towards the British, especially the execution of
Patrick Pearce and James Conrolly - this lead to the rise of Sinn Fein -
1918 election they won 73 seats.
End of the demands for Home Rule; moved towards
Independence and political demands were radicalised.
Michael Collins calls for a move away from grand
gestures and that guerrilla tactics were better to be
used.
Created the idea of "blood sacrifice" - created
martyrs particularly Pearce and Conrolly.
Anglo-Irish War / War of Indepencence
After the Easter Rising/Causes
After the Easter Rising the Nationalists established an Irish Parliament "Dail Eirrean"
Nationalists established the Irish Republican Army.
The violence started in 1919 and was led by Michael Collins, he
used guerrilla tactics, short attacks and no uniforms along with
specific targets.
Course of the War
Campaign of Civil Disobedience - refusing to pay tax,
going on strike, protests, ignoring British police officers.
Unionists responded violently burning
down Nationalist houses, and terrorised
families of IRA members.
Michael Collins and the "Twelve apostles" or "the squad" were a network of spies and
hit men, the biggest success they had was infiltrating Dublin Castle.
British sent in the Black and Tans who were famous
for violence, thuggery and drunkenness.