Analysis of the Causes of the 1916 Easter Rising- Irish History
1. Context
2. Influence of the British and the First World War
3. Carsonism
4. New Nationalism
5. The Irish Republican Brotherhood
6. The Role of Individuals
Context
● 3rd August 1914: The British government announces that it is preparing
for war.
● Without time to consult his Irish Parliamentary Party (IPP), Redmond
pledges his support. Initially, this seems like a good idea. Many Irishmen
support the war out of sympathy for Belgium, and Redmond hopes that
the war will unite Unionists and Irish nationalists.
● 15th September 1914: Asquith announces his intention to put Home
Rule on the statute books. Bonar Law leads the Conservatives in a
walk-out in protest.
● 18th September 1914: Home Rule is placed on the statute books with a
Suspensory Act to postpone implementation until after the war.
● The Suspensory Act means that the IPP is “left in limbo” (Rees)
● MacNeill (founder of the Irish Volunteer Force) describes Home Rule as
a “continually post-dated cheque”.
Influence of the British and the First World War
British Complacency
● The British ignored hints that the Easter Rising was about to occur.
, ● Birrell (Chief Secretary of Ireland) and Nathan (Undersecretary) ignored
warnings from the Army Intelligence Officer and didn’t efficiently
suppress increasing activity from the Irish Volunteer Force (IVF), which
had been increasing from the start of the war in 1914.
● The British captured the SS Aud (a ship carrying German weapons to
Ireland) and Casement on 20th April 1914, but failed to take further
action.
Home Rule
● With the Suspensory Act preventing the implementation of Home Rule
until after the Great War, the war led to a political vacuum in Ireland.
With the IPP “left in limbo” (Rees), the general population became
increasingly disillusioned with constitutional politics, contributing to the
atmosphere of the Rising. This led to a growth in power of radical
republican groups like the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB).
Woodenbridge and The Split in the IVF
● On 20th September 1914, Redmond made his famous “Woodenbridge
Speech”, where he urged the IVF to go “wherever the firing line
extends” (Redmond). Most of the IVF still supported Redmond, but his
continued support of the war did lead to a split in the IVF and a growth
in radicalism.
● Approximately 90% of the IVF remained loyal to Redmond, known as
the “National Volunteers”. However, since they supported Redmond’s
war effort, many of them were killed abroad. This reduced Redmond’s
power and support base.
● Approximately 12,000 men split off to form the “Irish Volunteers” under
MacNeill. The smaller size meant that they were easily infiltrated by the
IRB, creating a powerful body that the republican group could use to
orchestrate the Easter Rising.
1. Context
2. Influence of the British and the First World War
3. Carsonism
4. New Nationalism
5. The Irish Republican Brotherhood
6. The Role of Individuals
Context
● 3rd August 1914: The British government announces that it is preparing
for war.
● Without time to consult his Irish Parliamentary Party (IPP), Redmond
pledges his support. Initially, this seems like a good idea. Many Irishmen
support the war out of sympathy for Belgium, and Redmond hopes that
the war will unite Unionists and Irish nationalists.
● 15th September 1914: Asquith announces his intention to put Home
Rule on the statute books. Bonar Law leads the Conservatives in a
walk-out in protest.
● 18th September 1914: Home Rule is placed on the statute books with a
Suspensory Act to postpone implementation until after the war.
● The Suspensory Act means that the IPP is “left in limbo” (Rees)
● MacNeill (founder of the Irish Volunteer Force) describes Home Rule as
a “continually post-dated cheque”.
Influence of the British and the First World War
British Complacency
● The British ignored hints that the Easter Rising was about to occur.
, ● Birrell (Chief Secretary of Ireland) and Nathan (Undersecretary) ignored
warnings from the Army Intelligence Officer and didn’t efficiently
suppress increasing activity from the Irish Volunteer Force (IVF), which
had been increasing from the start of the war in 1914.
● The British captured the SS Aud (a ship carrying German weapons to
Ireland) and Casement on 20th April 1914, but failed to take further
action.
Home Rule
● With the Suspensory Act preventing the implementation of Home Rule
until after the Great War, the war led to a political vacuum in Ireland.
With the IPP “left in limbo” (Rees), the general population became
increasingly disillusioned with constitutional politics, contributing to the
atmosphere of the Rising. This led to a growth in power of radical
republican groups like the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB).
Woodenbridge and The Split in the IVF
● On 20th September 1914, Redmond made his famous “Woodenbridge
Speech”, where he urged the IVF to go “wherever the firing line
extends” (Redmond). Most of the IVF still supported Redmond, but his
continued support of the war did lead to a split in the IVF and a growth
in radicalism.
● Approximately 90% of the IVF remained loyal to Redmond, known as
the “National Volunteers”. However, since they supported Redmond’s
war effort, many of them were killed abroad. This reduced Redmond’s
power and support base.
● Approximately 12,000 men split off to form the “Irish Volunteers” under
MacNeill. The smaller size meant that they were easily infiltrated by the
IRB, creating a powerful body that the republican group could use to
orchestrate the Easter Rising.
