Easter rising a turning point

Answer 1

The Easter Rising was a major turning point in Irish History. The Rising was the result of renewed nationalism in Ireland during the Cultrual Revival period. At the time the Rising was staged however there was not popular support for achieving the Republic that was proclaimed as it was seen as an impossible goal. Instead Most people supported the idea of Home Rule. After the Rising however, with the proclamation of the Irish Republic there came a huge wave of support for fighting for a republic. the political party Sinn Fein capitalized on this and changed their policies to favour the Republicans.

The Rising was in fact the catalyst for what was to become what is known as the Revolutionary Period in Irish History. Two years after the rising, with Sinn Fein as the dominant political party and having already set up a parliament, the first shots of the Irish war of Independence were fired in Soloheadbeg, Co.Tipperary. A guerrilla war made by the IRA against British troops in Ireland that eventually led the British to offer a Treaty.There was major debates in the Dail (parliament) over the Treaty and it was finally ratified. Ireland received a form of Home Rule, and not the 32 county republic that was fought for. Also the partition of the North came into effect.

Following this came the bitter civil war. Pro-treaty followers joined the Irish Free state Army and Anti-Treaty followers joined the IRA.The two leaders of each were Michael Collins in the Pro-treaty corner and Eamonn De Valera in the Anit-treaty side. Both these men are instrumental in Irish history as they were the driving force of the War of Indepenence and also held positions of Command in the 1916 Rising.(Collins had a lower command so that is why he wasn't executed with the leaders and De Valera was an American citizen and so could'NT be executed).

The Free Staters (pro-treaty side) won the war and continued to build the State and what would later become the 26 county Republic of Modern Ireland. There was still however strong Republicans, veterans of the War of Indepence and even the Rising, who still fought against British occupation in the North. The Border Campaign was the name given to the IRAs actions between the 1930's and 1969.

Following the Border Campaign, the trend of Republicanism started in 1916 had diminished somewhat but those left would split form the Official IRA to form the Provisional IRA. The Troubles started in 1969 and continued to the 1990's with various smaller paramilitary organistations fighting for the 32 county Republic proclaimed in 1916.

I know that this has been a long winded answer but in fact I've left out a lot of details. The Rising was such a huge turning point in Irish History that it has effected the country ever since and will for decades. It started the republican and nationalist movement that is still strong today.The Northern Ireland Peace Process has however encouraged a more peaceful method in achieving republican/nationalist goals.