Lecture Notes: Ireland's Tumultuous History with England

Historical Background

• Centuries of Conflict: Ireland suffered from invasions, wars, and colonization by England.
• 19th Century: Ireland was ruled directly from London as part of the UK.
• Potato Famine: British inaction led to millions of Irish deaths and emigrations, halving the population.

Rise of Irish Nationalism

• Irish Republican Brotherhood: Emerged in the 19th century advocating for an Irish republic.
• Gaelic Revival: Re-emergence of Gaelic culture and language.
• Home Rule Movement: Sought a Dublin-based parliament, gaining support except in Ulster.
  • Ulster's Resistance: Predominantly Protestant and unionist, loyal to Britain, threatened war.
• Formation of Sinn Féin: Founded by Arthur Griffith in 1905, promoting Irish self-governance.

Prelude to Conflict

• Volunteers Formation: Ulster Volunteers and Irish Volunteers formed, pushing Ireland to civil war brink.
• World War I Impact: Home Rule Bill passed but put on hold due to war.
  • Easter Rising (1916): Proclamation of independence and capture of Dublin; harsh British response led to rising public support for an Irish republic.
  • Michael Collins: Rose as a leader proposing guerrilla warfare tactics.

Towards Independence

• Sinn Féin's Reorganization (1917): Many volunteers joined Sinn Féin, reshaping it with a republican agenda.
• 1918 General Elections: Sinn Féin won a landslide victory, leading to the establishment of the Dáil Éireann.
• Irish War of Independence (1919-1921): Sparked by ambush in Soloheadbeg; characterized by guerrilla warfare and political maneuvers.

Key Events and Figures

• Michael Collins: Led intelligence and guerrilla warfare, formed "The Squad" for targeting British G-men.
• Eamon de Valera: President of the Irish Republic, traveled to the U.S. to garner support.
• Bloody Sunday (1920): Assassination of British intelligence agents followed by British retaliation at Croke Park.

British Response

• Black and Tans: Vicious enforcement team formed by British, infamous for brutal reprisals.
• Partition of Ireland: Government of Ireland Act 1920 divided Ireland into Northern and Southern Ireland, cementing partition.

Anglo-Irish Treaty (1921)

• Negotiations: Led to the creation of the 26-county Irish Free State, a dominion within the British Empire.
• Division: Treaty led to political division and foreshadowed the Irish Civil War.

Conclusion

• Continued Impact: The lecture highlights the ongoing struggle for Irish independence and the complexities of Irish-British relations.
• Further Reading: Refer to John Ruddy's book "Manny Man Does Revolutionary Ireland" for detailed insights.
• Cultural Engagements: Upcoming theater tours and additional resources available on johndruddy.com.