Easter Rising Flashcards
(13 cards)
What were the causes of the Easter Rising?
Delayed Home Rule, frustration with British rule, the influence of the IRB, and the belief that WWI was an opportunity.
What groups were involved in the Easter Rising?
Irish Volunteers, IRB, Irish Citizen Army, and some women (e.g. Cumann na mBan). Not Sinn Féin at the time.
What were the aims of the rebels in 1916?
To establish an Irish Republic free from British control.
What buildings did the rebels seize in Dublin?
GPO (General Post Office), Four Courts, Jacobs Biscuit Factory, and Boland’s Mill.
Why was Easter Monday 1916 chosen for the rebellion?
It was a public holiday, and Britain was distracted by WWI.
What was meant by ‘England’s difficulty is Ireland’s opportunity’?
Irish rebels believed Britain’s distraction by WWI was the best time to strike.
Why did the Easter Rising fail militarily?
The rebellion was mostly limited to Dublin, poorly coordinated, and outnumbered by British forces.
How did the British army suppress the Rising?
They surrounded rebel-held buildings and used heavy artillery until the rebels surrendered.
What happened to the leaders of the Rising after the surrender?
15 of them were executed, including Patrick Pearse and James Connolly.
Why did public opinion change after the Rising?
Many people were angry at first, but the harsh British response and executions caused sympathy for the rebels.
How did Sinn Féin gain popularity after the Rising?
Although they didn’t organize it, they were wrongly blamed and became the symbol of the independence movement.
What were the long-term effects of the Easter Rising on Irish politics?
It led to a rise in support for Sinn Féin, the decline of the Irish Parliamentary Party, and a push toward full independence.
Why was the Easter Rising important, even though it failed?
It sparked a national movement for independence and changed public opinion, leading to future rebellions.
