Causes of the Easter Rising: Split in the Irish Volunteers

Question 1

What was the split?

Answer 1

The Irish Volunteers became split over whether or not to join Britain in World War one, leaving the 12,000 strong Irish Volunteers (increasingly “Sinn Fein Volunteers” for no reason) at home.

Question 2

Why was this relevant?

Answer 2

Now the war had provided the Conspirators with both the opportunity to rebel and a paramilitary body Clarke could manipulate (Allan)

Question 3

The Military Council

Answer 3

The Executive Council formed the Military Committee of Pearse, Plunkett and Ceannt who became the Council upon MacDermott and Clarke’s joining.

Question 4

What does Rees say about the split and therefore the military council?

Answer 4

“the single most important factor in the planning of the rising.”