Image (Above): "Rebels Receiving Ammunition," RTÉ Stills Library, 1913
United Irishmen Rebellion
The Society of United Irishmen was formed by Theobald Wolfe Tone in 1791 in efforts to remove all British influence in Ireland. Tone presumed that Ireland would never achieve freedom and decided to separate the two nations.
"From my earliest youth I have regarded the connection between Ireland and Great Britain as the curse of the Irish nation, and felt convinced, that while it lasted, this country would never be free or happy." - Theobald Wolfe Tone |
After seven years of planning, the United Irishmen Rebellion began. During the rebellion, over 30,000 casualties were recorded, and most of the United Irishmen leaders were executed. "To subvert the tyranny of our execrable government, to break the connection with England, the never-failing source of all our political evils, and to assert the independence of my country--these were my objectives."
- General Napper Tandy, United Irishman |
Act of Union
In response to the United Irishmen Rebellion, the Act of Union was formed, abolishing the Irish Parliament, adjoining the two nations.
"Given at our Court at St. James’s the 31st day of December, 1800, in the 41st year of our reign. I thus end the last session of Parliament of Great Britain and hence bring forth the First Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland."
- George III of the United Kingdom The annexation of Ireland ignited a desire for Irish independence, creating the foundation for Irish nationalism.
"Can you think of entering into a treaty with a British Minister? A Minister too, who has left you at the mercy of an English soldiery, ... horrid crimes have been perpetrated in your country, your friends have fallen a sacrifice to their devotion to your cause, and their shadows are around you and call for vengeance."
- General Napper Tandy, United Irishman |
Great Famine
In 1845, a blight contaminated all of Ireland’s potato crops, starving many Irish civilians and leaving many no choice but to emigrate. "The Earth disowns it. Heaven is against it. Ireland should be burnt into a black unpeopled field rather than this should last."
- The Scot Carlyle Proclaiming that he had seen "Hell" |
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However, many Irish civilians speculated that inadequate support was the true reason for the deaths of many Irish citizens. "The Almighty indeed sent the potato blight, but the English created the famine."
- John Mitchell, Irish Nationalist During the Famine |
This speculation sparked outrage throughout Ireland and left many Irish civilians with hatred towards the British. "No person knows better than you do that the domination of England is the sole and blighting curse of this country. It is the incubus that sits on our energies, stops the pulsation of the nation's heart and leaves to Ireland not gay vitality but horrid the convulsions of a troubled dream."
- Daniel O’Connell, Irish Nationalist During the Famine |
Gaelic League
Douglas Hyde and Eóin MacNeill founded the Gaelic League in 1893 in efforts to bring back Irish culture to an anglicized Ireland.
"I answer because the Irish race is at present in a most anomalous position, imitating England and yet apparently hating it. How can it produce anything good in literature, art, or institutions as long as it is actuated by motives so contradictory?"
- Douglas Hyde, Irish Nationalist |
Although the organization was apolitical, it became heavily influenced by Irish nationalism. Focus switched from recapturing Irish culture to securing Irish independence by the 1910s. "I now… say that anyone who has been working for the language merely… has never had the true Gaelic League spirit at all... I protest that it was not philology, not folklore, not literature, we went into the Gaelic League to serve, but : Ireland a Nation."
- Patrick Pearse, Leader of the Irish Volunteer Force |
The League developed organizations with nationalistic motives, which would launch plans for Easter Rising. "Such is the occasion... which has brought about the inception of the Irish Volunteer movement. But the Volunteers... will form a prominent element in the National life under a National Government. The Nation will maintain its Volunteer organisation as a guarantee of the liberties which the Irish people shall have secured."
- Eóin MacNeill, Irish Nationalist |
World War I
World War I began in 1914, including countries Britain and Germany. This war allowed the Irish rebels to seek German aid in manpower and artillery.
"The mission to Germany had three main objectives: First, to secure German military help for Ireland when the opportunity offered. Second, to educate German public opinion on the Irish situation, so that the people would stand behind their Government when it took action in favor of Ireland. Third, to organize, if possible, Irish prisoners of war into a military unit to take part in the fight for Irish freedom."
- John Devoy, Irish Republican Brotherhood Member |
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The Easter Rising was planned to surprise the British while they were distracted in their own conflicts.
"Ireland that has wronged no man, that has injured no land, that has sought no dominion over others. Ireland is treated today among other nations of the world as if she was a convicted criminal. If it be treason to fight against such an unnatural fate as this, then I am proud to be a rebel and shall cling to my rebellion with the last drop of my blood."
- Roger Casement, Leader of Easter Rising Aid in Germany |