britain 8 Flashcards
(10 cards)
The Irish Volunteers and World War I
In 1914, John Redmond urged the Irish Volunteers to support the British war effort.
Most followed him and became the “National Volunteers”.
A smaller group, led by Eoin MacNeill, kept the name “Irish Volunteers” and opposed involvement in the war.
By 1916, they had around 10,000 members.
. The Easter Rising (1916)
On Easter Monday, about 1,000 rebels seized the General Post Office in Dublin and proclaimed an Irish Republic.
They hoped for a German invasion and a nationwide uprising, but neither happened.
The British military crushed the rebellion within a week, killing 450 and wounding 2,600.
Reaction to the Easter Rising
Initially, most Irish people opposed the Rising.
The Catholic Church, John Redmond, and moderate nationalists condemned it.
However, harsh British reprisals — 15 executions, 3,000 arrests, 1,800 imprisonments — turned public opinion.
The executed rebels became seen as martys.
Rise of Sinn Féin
Although Sinn Féin had no role in the Rising, it was falsely blamed.
As anger at British actions grew, Sinn Féin gained support.
DLG negotiatied with Redmon-irish nationalist and Carson-Ulster unionist for the heads of agreement -woud grant southern ireland home rule Ulster remain part of UK -DEAL WAS REJECTED BY ULSTER UNIONISTS .
By late 1916, it became a revolutionary party demanding an Irish Republic.
British plans for conscription in 1918 further boosted its popularity.
Sinn Féin Growth and the 1918 Election
By 1917, Sinn Féin had 1,200 clubs and 250,000 members.
In the 1918 general election, Sinn Féin won 73 seats, the Irish Parliamentary Party won 7, and Unionists won 26.
Sinn Féin’s Actions After 1918 Election
Sinn Féin MPs refused to go to Westminster and formed the Dáil Éireann (Assembly of Ireland).
The Dáil proclaimed an Irish Republic and adopted a provisional constitution.
Eamon de Valera was elected president.
The Irish Volunteers became the Irish Republican Army (IRA), led by Michael Collins.
The War of Independence (1919–1921)
The British banned Sinn Féin and the Dáil.
The IRA waged guerrilla war — ambushes, assassinations — against British forces.
The British recruited the “Black and Tans”, a brutal force.
Violence escalated, with nearly 1,000 deaths.
Cycle of terror and counter terror
. Pressure for Peace by 1921
British actions faced international criticism, especially from the USA and the Dominions.
The IRA was running low on supplies.
King George V and the Archbishop of Canterbury urged a peaceful settlement.
A truce was agreed on July 11, 1921.
. Government of Ireland Act (1920)
Created separate parliaments: one in Belfast (for 6 counties of Ulster Northern Ireland) and one in Dublin for the rest of Ireland
Sinn Féin rejected it, demanding full independence.
The Anglo-Irish Treaty (1921)
Ireland became a self-governing dominion called the Irish Free State.Ireland would remain apart of the British empire while having internal self government, it would not have full control over its foreign policy of defence, and monarch would continue as head of state.
Britain retained naval bases.
Northern Ireland could stay in the UK (and did).
Lloyd George persuaded Sinn Féin by claiming Northern Ireland would eventually join a united Ireland.
-also that it was last chance of settlement if it failed he would beforced to resign and hand over negottions to Bonar Law-ended the war of independence
