1. Towards an Independent Ireland, 1900-22

2. Ireland in 1900
Colony of Britain
Part of British Empire since Act of Union (1800)
Had no govt. Ruled by Westminster-parliament in London
Irish MPs had to go there. No Northern Ireland state
Lord Lieutenant (Viceroy) and Chief Secretary represented the king and British govt.

3. Nationalists
Nationalists wanted changes in the way Ireland was ruled. They wanted some form of self-govt, with a parliament in Dublin
Largest nationalist group was the Home Rule party led by John Redmond. Mainly Catholics in South of Ireland

4. Unionists Didn’t want Home Rule Wanted to stay part of British Empire
Supported the Unionist Party
Led by Craig and Carson
Mainly Protestants
Lived in North – No Northern Ireland yet though

5. Carson

6. Home Rule Nationalists want HR Would be an Irish government
Ruled ourselves
Made our own laws – internal affairs
Still technically owned by Britain
Britain would decide our foreign affairs
The king would still be head of the country

7. Why Home Rule?
Catholics felt they didn’t belong to the Protestant United Kingdom
Poverty – felt we would be richer if we ruled ourselves
National Identity – we had our own traditions, culture, language

8. Why unionists supported the union
The North was prosperous because of trade with Britain
Especially the ship building industries and textile (clothes) industry
Exported goods through British Empire
Afraid of Catholics ruining Ireland
Home Rule is Rome Rule
British identity – they felt British
Descendants had come over in Plantations
Had British Culture

9. The Republican Movement
Didn’t think Home Rule was enough – wanted full independence (No Republic)
Extreme Nationalists
Wanted to use violence to get rid of Britain
Secret organisation called IRB
Leaders = Thomas Clarke and Sean McDermott
Not too popular in 1910

10. Thomas Clarke

11. Ireland losing its culture?
Nationalists were afraid of Anglicisation
Anglicisation: Ireland becoming more like England
We spoke English
Couldn’t speak Irish
Played English games – soccer and rugby
Nationalists worried we were losing our identity

12. The GAA Gaelic Athletic Association Set up in 1884 – Michael Cusack
To promote Irish sports
To make us proud of our traditions
Huge success
1st All-Ireland Final in 1887

13. Gaelic League Set up in 1893 by Douglas Hyde
To stop the decline in Irish language
To make us proud of our heritage; language
People like Patrick Pearse wanted Ireland to speak Irish
Felt the only way we could do this was by getting rid of Britain
So these organisations – GAA and Gaelic League – became linked with Republicanism

14. Douglas Hyde