Ireland Early 20th Century

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ts, they sought protection from Britain. Over the next two centuries, the differences between the two groups would be hardened and inevitable conflict was at hand.
A new crisis began to develop in September 1914, following the outbreak of World War I, when the British government suspended the recently enacted Home Rule Bill, which guaranteed a measure of political autonomy to Ireland. For the most part the Irish supported the allies in the War. They organized a volunteer army and were eager to show their loyalty with the expectation of a free Ireland at the end of what everyone thought would be a short war. While the suspension of the bill was not popular it was conscription introduced in 1916 that stimulated the growth of already active rebel organizations. The citizen army, an illegal force of Dublin citizens organized by the labour leader Jim Larkin and the socialist James Connolly (Douglas), the Irish Volunteers, a national defense body; and the extremist party SinnFein all came together to plan an uprising. They hoped that the war would slow Britain’s response and a free Ireland would prevail ( Stromberg 24 )
The uprising occurred on Easter Monday. April 24, 1916 and took place mainly in Dublin. Hostilities began around noon when 2000 men led by an educator Padhraic Pearse seized control of the Dublin post office and other strategic points within the city. After these initial successes, the leaders of the rebellion proclaimed the Independence of Ireland an announced the establishment of a provisional government of the Irish Republic. British reinforcements arrive on Tuesday morning and the fighting began. Martial law was proclaimed throughout Ireland and British troops slowly dislodged the Irish from their positions. By the afternoon of April 29th, under heavy attack Pearse surrendered unconditionally. The British immediately brought the leaders of the uprising to trial. Fifteen of the group were sentenced to de...