Causes of the Easter Rising

Causes of the Easter Rising

1. Carsonism

   • Carson's seemingly effective resistance to Home Rule led nationalists to believe the only effective form of opposition included force.
   • IRB infiltrated the IVF the scene was set for the rising
   • Forming the Irish Volunteers MacNeill was acknowledging by imitation the success of UVF.
   • Pearse committed Home Ruler, before being influenced by the UVF
     • Ulster Crisis Carson forced Redmond to play 2nd Fiddle and Carson's tactics further polarised Irish politics.
   • Carson Given own regiment for UVF (36th Ulster)

2. Outbreak of the First World War

   • Brought an indefinite postponement of HR - placed on statute books 18/09/1914
     • Created a political vacuum which rebels exploited.
   • It divided nationalists - moderate and advanced now seen clearly
   • Redmond supports war effort
     • Asked British to withdraw troops in Ireland and to allow IVF and UVF to defend the coast.
     • His Maryborough speech appealed to both unionists and nationalists
     • Woodenbridge speech divides moderate and advanced nationalists within the Irish Volunteers
       • National Volunteers under Redmond
       • Irish Volunteers under McNeill
     • Redmond refuses to be part of wartime coalition MAY 1915
   • Anti-British Feeling increase erupted as huge loss of life at western front as well as fear of consrpition being brought to ireland
   • Irish were not given there own division unlike Carson and the UVF
   • War curtailed emigration

3. The role of individuals

   • IRB, IVF and ICA brought under umbrella movement
     • Role of IRB is vital as infiltrated various nationalist groups such as Gaelic League
       • Without IRB the rising would not have taken place
   • Revolution of intellectuals
     • Blood sacrifice and martyrdom complex. Pearce, Plunkett & MacDonagh all spoke of this. Rising was described as 'Revolution of Intellectuals'
   • Inspiration from Unionists: Adopted militant tactics which his opponents were using with success

4. The role of New Nationalism

   • GAA and Gaelic League activities created atmosphere of revolt
   • Was closely with the Gaelic League
   • Revival of the Gaelic Language - claimed the language of nationality
   • Committed to romantic to romantic vision of Ireland
   • League branches infiltrated by IRB

5. Government errors

   • Castle Document 19th April used by the rebels to convince volunteer leaders to support the Rising. Document claimed British were trying to surpress movement
   • Dublin Castle officials could have acted more decisively and on intelligence reports to thwart plans of the IRB
   • Used IPP to advise him
   • Errors leading up to the rising
   • Army became alarmed - MARCH 1916 - by intercepted messages about potential rising
     • 25th MARCH - Castle authorities arrested Blythe and Mellows and deported them.

6. Clarke, Plunkett and MacDonagh

   • Plunkett was one of the original members of the IRB Military Committee that was responsible for planning the rising
   • In 1915 MacDonagh joined the IRB.
   • 1913 MacDonagh & Plunkett attended inaugural meeting of the Irish Volunteers - placed on provisional Committee.
   • Clarke influential behind the scenes in prep. for rising. Clarke revitalised the IRB and had a major role in setting up Irish Freedom newspaper.

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