Issue 2: The impact of world war 1 on Ireland

Question 1

Irish attitudes to WW1

Answer 1

Key factual Content:

Propaganda - invasion of Catholic Belgium
•Ulster supported war effort to ensure favourable treatment.
•War brought jobs and good ‘press’ for Ulster.
•Nationalists and Redmond also backed war to get Home Rule, urging Irish men to enlist.
•Recruitment was successful in the south as almost 1/4 million men join up.
•Opposition to war from three key (though small groups)
-Sinn Fein and Arthur Griffith, Pearse & Gaelic League, Connolly & Citizen’s Army.

Analysis:

• The way in which the war effort was tied up with hopes for Home Rule or partition.
• The importance of the high figures for volunteering.
• The significance of the war in unifying the majority of Irish opinion.
• Nationalists groups not united in their opposition.

Question 2

Easter Rising

Answer 2

Key factual Content:
•Rebels saw war as chance to rid Ireland of British by force - taking advantage.
•Britain had to use force eg. Gunboat, ‘Helga’ - diverting resources.
•Role of key figures, eg. Pearse, Casement.
•Initial strong criticism of Rising from public, politicians, churchmen esp. in Dublin.
•The secret courts martial, execution of leaders, imprisonment without trial.
•Sinn Fein initially blamed for the Rising saw a subsequent rise in support for them.
•Catholic Church and business community became more sympathetic to independence.

Analysis:
•Rising was opportunistic and did not have widespread public support.
•Rising was unsuccessful and served only as an irritation for the UK government and public.
•Highlighted the difficulties in ensuring widespread support for war effort in Ireland.
•UK government action changed the public mood to sympathy for the rebels
Reaction by UK government was seen as politically motivated.
•Rebels were seen as martyrs for an increasingly popular cause.

Question 3

Anti Conscription campaign

Answer 3

Key factual Content:
•Sinn Fein the one party to openly oppose conscription and support rose.
•Caused the Nationalists to withdraw from Westminster and divided their party.
•General strike April 23rd and National Pledge.

Analysis:
•Conscription was not extended to Ireland which Sinn Fein was given credit for.
•Conscription campaign drove Sinn Fein underground which improved their organisation.
•United Nationalist sentiment, but divided the Nationalist party.

Question 4

Decline of Nationalist Party

Answer 4

Key factual Content:
•Failure of Irish Convention.
•Three by-election wins for Sinn Fein increased tension.
•Redmond died, March 1918, ineffectiveness of Dillon.

Analysis:
•Growing feeling that British could not be trusted and Nationalists could not deliver.
•Many moved from the Nationalist Party as they felt Sinn Fein was doing more for Ireland.

Question 5

Rise of Sinn Fein

Answer 5

Key factual Content:
•Release of rebel prisoners esp. Collins and De Valera from Frongoch helped Sinn Fein.
•Opposition to Britain due to vigorous implementation of the Defence of the Realm Act.
•Hunger striker Thomas Ashe died in 1917 - propaganda issue.

Analysis:
•Development of Sin Fein in terms of military preparations (Collins).
•Development of Sinn Fein in terms of political organisation (De Valera).
•Significant change in public mood - less loyal to UK, more support for independence.