1918 Sinn Féin election manifesto facts for kids

The 1918 Sinn Féin election manifesto was a very important document from the Sinn Féin political party. It was their plan for the 1918 Irish general election. Before this, Sinn Féin had been reformed in 1917 and had strongly opposed conscription (forced military service) in Ireland. After World War I ended on 11 November 1918, the British Government called a general election for 14 December. In this election, Sinn Féin won a huge victory, taking 73 out of 105 seats in Ireland.

Why the 1918 Sinn Féin Manifesto Was Important

By 1918, many people in Ireland knew about the Easter Rising of 1916. This was a rebellion in Dublin. However, the Easter Rising was not started by Sinn Féin itself. The 1918 manifesto was the first official message from Sinn Féin to all Irish voters. It was a big step towards Ireland's future.

After this manifesto, the Declaration of Independence for the Irish Republic was made. This happened on 19 January 1919. The manifesto also led to the creation of the Democratic Programme, which outlined the new republic's goals.

You can find an approved version of the manifesto here.

What the Manifesto Said

The Sinn Féin manifesto was a powerful message to the Irish people. It talked about Ireland's future and its desire for freedom.

Ireland's Path to Freedom

The manifesto stated that the election was a chance for Ireland to choose its path. It asked if Ireland would become truly free or stay under British rule. Sinn Féin believed that British rule had only brought problems to Ireland.

The party offered Ireland a chance to gain its honor back. It wanted Ireland to follow the path to national freedom by supporting the idea of an Irish Republic.

Sinn Féin's Main Goals

Sinn Féin's main goal was to create an independent Irish Republic. They planned to do this in several ways:

• They would remove Irish representatives from the British Parliament.
• They would refuse to accept the right of the British Government (or any other foreign government) to make laws for Ireland.
• They wanted to create a special assembly. This assembly would be made up of people chosen by Irish voters. It would be the highest authority in Ireland. Its job would be to speak for the Irish people and improve Ireland's social, political, and industrial life for everyone's benefit.
• They planned to ask the Peace Conference (a meeting after World War I) to recognize Ireland as an independent nation.

Ireland's Right to Self-Rule

The manifesto argued that Ireland's claim to independence was not just because of the war. It said that Ireland's right to rule itself was very old. It was based on Ireland's long history as a nation. The manifesto highlighted Ireland's unique culture and social order. It also mentioned that the Irish people had bravely stood up against foreign rule many times. In the past 120 years, they had fought against England five times. These facts, Sinn Féin said, proved that Ireland had the right to be a free nation.

Sinn Féin: More Than Just a Party

Sinn Féin saw itself as representing the entire Irish nation, not just a political group. It carried on the traditions of Irish nationhood from past generations. The party supported the Proclamation of the Provisional Government from Easter 1916. This proclamation stated that the Irish Nation had an undeniable right to be a sovereign (fully independent) country. It also promised equal rights and opportunities for all Irish citizens in an independent Ireland.

Sinn Féin believed it was time for Ireland's voice to be heard. They wanted Ireland to decide its own future without outside interference. Because of this, Sinn Féin would oppose any candidate in the election who did not agree with this principle of national self-determination.

Criticism of Opponents

The manifesto strongly criticized Sinn Féin's opponents. It said that their policies were wrong. The right of a nation to be independent, it argued, is a natural law and cannot be compromised. Trying to trade away Ireland's sacred rights would lead to disaster.

The manifesto pointed to many problems caused by past policies. These included millions of Irish people being forced to leave the country. It also mentioned the decline of Irish industries and the increasing financial exploitation of Ireland. It criticized how the demand for "Repeal of the Union" (ending British rule) had been watered down to "Home Rule" (limited self-government). The manifesto also mentioned the idea of dividing Ireland, which it saw as leading to national ruin.

Who Should Speak for Ireland?

The manifesto argued that those who tried to force Ireland into England's war had lost the right to speak for the Irish people. It stated that only a freely elected government in a free Ireland could decide on matters of peace and war for Ireland.

It also criticized Irish members of the English Parliament. Sinn Féin believed these members were blocking Ireland's path to the Peace Conference. By accepting Ireland's status as a "province" instead of a nation, they gave England an excuse to hide the real issue from the world. The manifesto also condemned their efforts to encourage young Irish men to join the British army. Sinn Féin saw this as using Ireland's own people against its freedom.

Sinn Féin's Confidence

Sinn Féin knew they faced many challenges from a powerful enemy. The British Government wanted to stop Sinn Féin because it knew the party could help Ireland gain freedom. However, Sinn Féin went into the election with confidence. They believed the Irish people would stay true to their cause. They trusted that voters would choose candidates who stood for the principles of Irish heroes like Tone, Emmet, Mitchel, Pearse, and Connolly. These were men who demanded that Ireland be as free as other independent nations like England, Holland, Switzerland, or France. Sinn Féin's demand was clear: Ireland deserved the status of a free nation.

This manifesto was issued by the Standing Committee of Sinn Féin.