Irish Republicanism

Irish Republicanism is the nationalist belief that all of Ireland should be a united independent republic.

History

At first, Irish nationalists who advocated renewed independence from England either were in favour of an independent Ireland retaining the British monarchy if they were "moderates" or, if they were "radicals", favoured reviving the Irish monarchy. The republican revolutions in France and America during the late 18th century influenced young Irish men and women, leading to the nationalist movement becoming predominantly republican. The United Irishmen were the first group to advocate an independent Irish republic. With military aid from the republican government in France, they organized the failed Irish Rebellion of 1798.

Related Topics:
Nationalists - Monarchy - Revolution - France - America - Republican - United Irishmen - Irish Rebellion of 1798

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After the Act of Union in 1801 merging Ireland with Britain into the United Kingdom, Irish independence movements were suppressed by the British. Nationalist rebellions against British rule in 1848 (by the Young Irelanders) and 1865 and 1867 (by the Irish Republican Brotherhood) were followed by harsh reprisals by British forces.

Related Topics:
Act of Union - 1801 - United Kingdom - 1848 - Young Irelanders - 1865 - 1867 - Irish Republican Brotherhood

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In 1916 the Easter Rising was launched in Dublin against British rule. Even though the rebellion failed and most of its leaders were executed by the British, it was to be a turning point in history, leading to the end of British rule in most of Ireland.

Related Topics:
1916 - Easter Rising - Dublin - Executed

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From 1919-1921 a newly organized guerrilla army, the Irish Republican Army (IRA) led by Michael Collins fought against British forces. During the Anglo-Irish War (or War of Irish Independence) the British sent paramilitary police, the "Black and Tans" and the Auxiliary Division, to help the British army and Royal Irish Constabulary. These groups committed atrocities which included killing captured POWs and Irish civilians viewed as being sympathetic to the IRA. The most infamous of all their actions was the burning of half the city of Cork in 1920 and the Bloody Sunday massacre of 1920. These atrocities, together with the popularity of the republican ideal, and British repression of republican political expression, led to widespread support across Ireland for the Irish rebels.

Related Topics:
Irish Republican Army - Michael Collins - Anglo-Irish War - Black and Tans - Auxiliary Division - Royal Irish Constabulary - Bloody Sunday

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In 1921 the British government led by David Lloyd George negotiated the Anglo-Irish Treaty with Collins and the other republican leaders, ending the war.

Related Topics:
David Lloyd George - Anglo-Irish Treaty

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