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Rise of Nationalism & Unionism - Coggle Diagram
Rise of Nationalism & Unionism
HOME RULE BILL
Causes
Irish Parliamentary Party (IPP) led by John Redmond wanted self-government for Ireland
Liberals needed IPP support in Westminster, so agreed to introduce Home Rule
Irish nationalists had been campaigning for decades for Ireland to run its own affairs
Unionists (mainly Protestants in Ulster) feared being a minority in a Catholic-dominated Ireland
Course
Third Home Rule Bill introduced in 1912
Unionists led by Edward Carson and James Craig opposed it strongly
Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) formed 1913 to resist Home Rule "by force if necessary" - Solemn league and Covenant
Irish Volunteers formed 1913 in response, to defend Home Rule
Both sides smuggled in guns (Larne and Howth gun-runnings)
Bill passed 1914 but suspended due to outbreak of World War One
Consequences
Ireland armed and divided into two opposing camps
Home Rule delayed increasing frustration among nationalists
More radical nationalists (IRB) saw an opportunity while Britain was distracted by war
1916 Rising
1916 RISING
Causes
Home Rule suspended constitutional nationalism seemed to fail
IRB believed "England's difficulty is Ireland's opportunity" during WWI
Leaders wanted a republic, not Home Rule; believed blood sacrifice would inspire nation
Course
Rising began Easter Monday 24 April; rebels took Dublin buildings, read Proclamation
British crushed rebellion in six days; over 450 killed, city centre destroyed
Pádraig Pearse (commander), James Connolly (injured), leaders held GPO as headquarters
Fierce fighting at Mount Street Bridge, North King Street, Boland's Mill (Éamon de Valera)
Consequences
Execution of 16 leaders turned rebels into martyrs
Public opinion shifted from Home Rule to demand for independent republic
Led directly to War of Independence
WAR OF INDEPENDENCE
Cause
Sinn Féin won 1918 election, set up Dáil Éireann (independent parliament)
IRA began guerrilla war; Britain refused to recognise independence
Course
used ambushes and assassinations; Michael Collins ran intelligence network
Britain sent Black and Tans who became notorious for brutality
Major incidents: Bloody Sunday, burning of Cork, Kilmichael; Truce July 1921
Consequences
Anglo-Irish Treaty created Irish Free State (26 counties) with Dominion status – not full republic
Partition: Northern Ireland (6 counties) stayed in UK
Treaty split IRA and Sinn Féin, leading to Civil War
CIVIL WAR
Cause
Split over Anglo-Irish Treaty: Pro-Treaty (Collins) accepted it as best deal; Anti-Treaty (de Valera) saw it as betrayal
Anti-Treaty IRA occupied Four Courts, Dublin
Course
Fighting began June 1922; Free State forces had more support and weapons
Michael Collins killed August 1922; Free State executed 77 republican prisoners
Anti-Treaty defeated; ceasefire May 1923
Consequences
Over 1,000 killed; deep bitterness divided Irish society for generations
Free State established but republic not achieved until 1949
Partition confirmed; Anti-Treaty side later formed Fianna Fáil party