Irish Home Rule, Rising and War of Independence

Home Rule

A form of limited Irish independence. Ireland would take care of domestic matters like education while Westminster would still take care of external issues like trade.

Years each of the Home Rule Bills were introduced

1st: 1886

2nd: 1893

3rd: 1912

Reasons for 3rd HR Bill being introduced

Introduced by PM Asquith and the liberals, it was introduced to gain support for the Liberal Party from the Irish.

Redmond spoke often and eloquently about it and how it would mark the beginning of an era of co-operation between Ireland and Britain, so it was passed in the House of Commons and would become law in 1914

Reaction to 3rd HR Bill

The Ulster Unionists, under Carson and Craig started the Anti-Home Rule Party and started the Solemn League and Covenant and the UVF. MacNeill in response set up the Irish Volunteers.

Attempts to create peace

Talks of compromises began, including the Buckingham Conference in 1914

WW1 Interruptions

Home Rule was passed in Agust of 1914, but its operation was suspended due to World War 1. Various unionists showed their loyalty by enlisting. The HR Party was split, with Redmond urging supporters to fight, while MacNeill preached the opposite. 170,000 supported Redmond and 11,000 supported MacNeill.

Before the 1916 Rising

Amidst the war, Ireland found opportunity in England's difficulty. A Rising was organised by the IRB's Military Council, but they needed support from the Volunteers. So, Joseph Plunkett forged the "Castle Document" stating that the British would arrest IV leaders. MacNeill soon discovered that it was a forgery and cancelled his plans to fight by posting a notice in the Sunday Independent.

With few men and weapons (due to Casement), the plan was lacking. However, it still went ahead.

The 1916 Rising

On April 24th, 1916, the Rising happened

1500 people seized 7 strategic buildings across Dublin e.g. GPO, Four Courts and Jacobs Factory. The tricolour was raised at noon and Pearse read the Proclamation of the Irish Republic.

The Helga, a gunship, was sent down the Liffey to shell the city. Within a week, they were beaten by General Sir John Maxwell and the British Army.

Post 1916 Rising

After the Rising, Dublin City was in ruin. It claimed 450 lives overall. Following the Rising, many leaders, including Pearse, were killed in Kilmainham Jail.

Post Rising and Executions

After what the British called a "Sinn Féin Rising", PM Asquith wanted to end the Irish question and find a compromise. Redmond seemed to be agreeing to Partition, damaging the HR Party.

When Lloyd Geroge became PM in 1916, he released most of the participants. The men now believed the party was inadequate, and so reformed the Volunteers and wanted to continue the struggle.

Sinn Féin beginnings

Due to the mistaken association, Arthur Griffith's Sinn Féin Party began to spike in popularity. In October 1917, De Velera was voted leader. Despite everyone being angered by the Conscription Crisis, it was SF that benefited the most. They formed the first Dáíl in January 1919

War of Independence Beginnings

In January 1919, a group of volunteers ambushed and killed RIC in TIpperary. The volunteers now called themselves the IRA and the War of Independence began.

Collins set up "the squad", a group of 12 men who killed spies, informers, etc.

War of Independence

The IRA set up flying columns around the country, that would ambush British forces. The British, refusing to recognise them as an army, sent former British soldiers, "The Black and Tans".

They were ruthless in their response to the IRA, and 5,000 of them were in Ireland by the end of the year

War of Independence Throughout.

Throughout 1920, various key evemts would happen, such as the deaths of Tomás Mac Curtain, Lord Mayor Terence Mac Swiney and Kevin Barry. The Irish Bulletin was also spreading mass propaganda.

Bloody Sunday

The most significant event would occur on November 21, 1920, when British auxiliaries, in response to The Squad killing 11 spies, entered Croke Park and opened fire. 14 were killed, including Tipperary footballer Michael Hogan. After that, world opinion was against the British.

Post Bloody Sunday

On November 28, 1920, West Cork flying column underwent an attack on Auxiliaries at Kilmichael under Tom Barry

On December 10, 1920, British Gov. declared Martial Law in Cork, Tipperary, Limerick and Kerry

On December 11, 1920, British Auxiliaries set fire to buildings in Cork City (The Burning of Cork)

Government of Ireland Act

Amidst the violence in 1920, Britain passed the Government of Ireland Act. This partitioned N.I, created to HR parliaments in Dublin and Belfast whose bills were signed by the King’s Viceroy

These Irish Parliaments had no control over things like war, the army or the post office, although unionists were treated favourably in Westminster.

1921

As 1921 began, SF and the IRA were under huge pressure.

Griffith and other leaders were arrested, with 4,500 others in prison camps

There were also divisions in rank (DeV vs Brugha) (Collins vs Mulcathy)

Custom House Attack

On 25 May 1921, the IRA attacked the Customs House in Dublin. Over 80 IRA dead, wounded or captured however.

May 1921 Elections

Elections held for Dublin and Belfast parliaments

Unionists won a majority in NI and established their own parliament

SF won by lots in Republic and established the Second Dáil (while straying away from the “official south Parliament”)

Lloyd George peace talks

25 June 1921, Lloyd George wrote to DeV suggesting peace talks. Truce came on 11 July 1921

George wanted open talks with DeV and James Craig (P.M of NI), but DeV viewed himself as ruler of all counties. Refused to talk with Craig.

Brit. conceded to IRA retaining their arms

SF and DeV also had to make concessions -> they could not militarily defeat Brit and compromise would have to be reached on the degree of independence from Brit and what to do with NI