1. © HarperCollins Publishers 2010 Significance Why was the Easter Rising of 1916 important?

2. © HarperCollins Publishers 2010 Significance Objectives In this activity you will: Learn the causes of the Easter Rising. Learn the consequences of the Easter Rising. Discuss the significance of the Easter Rising.

3. © HarperCollins Publishers 2010 Significance Why was the Easter Rising of 1916 important? In 1916, members of a group known as the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB), which was established in 1848, launched an armed rebellion against British rule in Dublin. They believed that Irish independence was being ignored due to the First World War (1914-1918). The leader of the rebellion was Padraig Pearse. It has been argued that he viewed the rebellion as a ‘blood sacrifice’, and that he knew the rebellion had little chance of success but supported it in the hope of igniting widespread rebellion across all of Ireland. However, other members of the rebellion, such as James Connolly and his Citizen Army, would not have supported the rebellion if they felt it was doomed to fail. The rebellion started on Easter Monday 1916. On the first day of the rebellion, Pearse read out a statement declaring the establishment of the Irish Republic.

4. © HarperCollins Publishers 2010 Significance Why was the Easter Rising of 1916 important? Key events of the rebellion: On the first day of the rebellion, Pearse read out a statement declaring the establishment of the Irish Republic. The rebels seized control of the General Post Office (GPO). The British Army attacked and bombarded the GPO. The rebels surrendered. The rebellion ended after one week. Many people were angered by the rebellion because Britain was still at war with Germany. Leaders of the rebellion were put on trial and executed.

5. © HarperCollins Publishers 2010 Significance Why was the Easter Rising of 1916 important? Historians often discuss the importance of different historical events. Complete the following task to help you understand the importance of the Easter Rising of 1916: 1.Working in pairs, organise the different consequences of the Easter Rising into an order of importance. 2.Write down your reasons for choosing the most important and least important consequence. 3.Try to link different consequences to help you explain their importance. 4.Read out your ideas to the rest of the class and see if they agree with your points.

6. © HarperCollins Publishers 2010 Significance Consequences of the rebellion They received more financial and political support from Irish Americans. Many people within Ireland had opposed the rebellion. However, the execution of rebel leaders and political persecution throughout Ireland increased support for the rebels. The executed rebels became Irish Martyrs. Support for Sinn Fein grew, shown in Irish elections in 1918 when Sinn Fein became the largest political party. Sinn Fein supported the establishment of an Irish Republic and Irish independence.

7. © HarperCollins Publishers 2010 Significance Consequences of the rebellion Northern Ireland was also established, which remained part of the United Kingdom. In 1919, they set up the Dáil Éireann, which was the Government of Ireland. The IRB became the Irish Republican Army (IRA). They ignored British political institutions. The British Government wanted to end the fighting. This was achieved with the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921. Between 1919-1921, British forces and Irish rebels fought each other. Eventually in 1922, the Irish Free State was established.