Irish revolutionary period facts for kids
The Birth of the Irish Republic; painting by Walter Paget
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| Native name | Tréimhse Réabhlóideach in Eirinn |
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| Date | 1912 to 1923 |
| Location | Ireland |
| Outcome | Partition of Ireland; Anglo-Irish Treaty; establishment of Irish Free State and Northern Ireland |
The revolutionary period in Irish history was a time of big changes in Ireland, mostly in the 1910s and early 1920s. During this time, many Irish people changed their minds about how Ireland should be governed. They moved from wanting "Home Rule" (meaning Ireland would govern itself but still be part of the United Kingdom) to wanting full independence as a republic. This shift led to major events like the Irish War of Independence, the creation of the Irish Free State, the Partition of Ireland (dividing the island), and the Irish Civil War.
Historians often say this period lasted from about 1912 or 1913 until 1923. It started with the idea of Home Rule and ended after the Civil War.
Contents
Ireland's Path to Independence
Early Steps Towards Self-Rule
In 1910, it looked like Ireland would get Home Rule. The Irish Parliamentary Party (IPP), led by John Redmond, had a lot of power in the British Parliament. A new law for Home Rule was introduced in 1912.
But not everyone agreed. People in Ulster, who wanted to stay part of the United Kingdom (called unionists), formed a group called the Ulster Volunteers. In response, Irish nationalists formed the Irish Volunteers in 1913. They wanted to make sure Home Rule happened. Around the same time, a big workers' strike in Dublin led to the creation of the Irish Citizen Army.
World War I and Its Impact
In September 1914, First World War began. The British Parliament passed the Home Rule Act, but they put it on hold until the war ended. Many Irish nationalist leaders, including John Redmond, supported Britain in the war. They believed that if Ireland helped, Home Rule would be granted after the war.
However, some leaders in the Irish Volunteers disagreed. Most of the Volunteers left to form the National Volunteers, and some joined the British Army. Before the war ended, Britain tried twice to bring in Home Rule, but Irish nationalists and unionists could not agree on how to deal with Ulster.
The Easter Rising and a Shift in Opinion
The years from 1916 to 1921 were full of political fighting and violence. In 1916, a group of Irish Volunteers and the Irish Citizen Army launched the Easter Rising in Dublin. They tried to gain full independence for Ireland.
The Rising itself did not have much public support at first. But when the British executed fifteen of the leaders and imprisoned many others, public opinion changed. Many Irish people became much more supportive of the idea of an independent Irish Republic.
In 1918, Britain tried to force Irishmen to join the British Army for the war. This "Conscription Crisis" made even more people turn against British rule.
Sinn Féin Rises to Power
In the December 1918 elections, Sinn Féin, the political party linked to the rebels, won most of the seats in Ireland. Twenty-seven of their elected members met in Dublin in January 1919. They formed the First Dáil Éireann, which was a parliament for an independent, 32-county Irish Republic. They officially declared Ireland's independence.
The War of Independence and the Treaty
The new Irish Republic's army, the Irish Republican Army, fought a guerrilla war against British forces from 1919 to 1921. This was called the Irish War of Independence.
During the fighting, the British government passed a new law in 1920. This law divided Ireland into "Northern Ireland" and "Southern Ireland" and gave both parts Home Rule.
In July 1921, the Irish and British governments agreed to stop fighting. In December 1921, they signed the Anglo-Irish Treaty. This treaty created the Irish Free State, which was a self-governing country like Canada or Australia, but still part of the British Commonwealth. Under the Treaty, Northern Ireland could choose to stay part of the United Kingdom, and it did.
In 1922, both parliaments approved the Treaty. This made the 26-county Irish Free State official. Northern Ireland remained part of the United Kingdom. The Irish Free State later became the Republic of Ireland in 1949.
The Irish Civil War
After the Treaty was signed, not everyone in Ireland agreed with it. Some people felt it did not give Ireland full independence. This disagreement led to the Irish Civil War, which began in 1922. The war was fought between those who supported the Treaty (the Free State government) and those who were against it. The Free State won the Civil War in 1923.
Key Dates in the Revolutionary Period
- 1911: A new law limits the power of the House of Lords, making Home Rule more likely.
- 1912: The Third Home Rule Bill is introduced. Unionists sign the Ulster Covenant to oppose Home Rule.
- 1913: The Dublin lock-out, a major workers' strike, takes place.
- 1914: The First World War begins. The Home Rule Bill is passed but put on hold.
- 1916: The Easter Rising happens in Dublin. Irish soldiers fight bravely in the Battle of the Somme.
- 1918: The Conscription Crisis of 1918 angers many Irish people. Sinn Féin wins most seats in the general election.
- 1919: The First Dáil declares an Irish Republic. The IRA begins the Irish War of Independence.
- 1920: The Government of Ireland Act 1920 divides Ireland into Northern and Southern Ireland.
- 1921: The War of Independence ends with a ceasefire. The UK and Dáil governments sign the Anglo-Irish Treaty.
- 1922: The Irish Free State begins its government. The Irish Civil War starts.
- 1923: The Free State wins the Civil War.
Remembering the Past
People in Ireland remember these historic events in different ways. Unionists and nationalists often have different stories about what happened. Even within nationalist groups, there are different views because of the Civil War.
Today, there is an effort to promote understanding and respect for all viewpoints. Historians and government groups are working to make sure that these important anniversaries are remembered in a way that includes everyone's history. This helps people reflect on where Ireland has come from and where it is going.
