Irish History: 1918 Election and Sources

Primary vs. Secondary Sources

• Primary Source: A first-hand account from the time of the event. Examples include diaries, letters, photographs, or newspapers from the period, and artifacts.
• Secondary Source: An interpretation or analysis of an event after it occurred. Examples include history books, documentaries, and biographies.

Bias & Propaganda

• Bias: A one-sided or unfair view, often influenced by personal opinions or political agendas.
• Propaganda: Information designed to persuade or influence public opinion, usually exaggerated, misleading, and sometimes used in war, politics, or media.

Consequences of the 1918 Irish Election

• Sinn Féin Victory: Sinn Féin won most of the Irish seats in the UK Parliament (73 of 105), strongly supporting Irish independence.
• Dáil Éireann: Sinn Féin established their own Irish parliament in Dublin (Dáil Éireann) instead of sitting in the UK Parliament, in 1919.
• War of Independence: Britain's refusal to accept Irish self-rule triggered the Irish War of Independence (1919-1921).

Main Events of the 1916 Easter Rising

• Leaders: Irish Volunteers, Irish Citizen Army, led by figures such as Patrick Pearse & James Connolly.
• Dates: April 24-29, 1916.
• Key Events: Rebels seized buildings in Dublin (e.g., General Post Office). The British army responded with military force. The rising ended in six days. Executions of leaders heightened public support for Irish independence.

WWI & WWII's Impact on Ireland

• WWI: Over 200,000 Irishmen fought in the British army, with the war delaying Irish Home Rule. The 1916 Rising partly resulted from Britain's focus on WWI.
• WWII (Emergency): Ireland remained neutral but experienced shortages of goods and food. Some Irish aided the Allies secretly. Ireland's economy faced challenges due to the war's restrictions.

What is Genocide?

• Definition: The deliberate, systematic killing of a large group of people, often based on ethnicity, religion, or nationality.
• Examples: The Holocaust (Nazi genocide of Jews), the Armenian Genocide, and the Rwandan Genocide.

Plantation and its Effects on Irish Identity

• Plantation: English and Scottish settlers being given Irish land by the English government to control Ireland.
• Effects:
  • Shift in Land Ownership: Irish Catholics lost their land to Protestant settlers.
  • Cultural & Religious Change: The English language and Protestantism became more prominent, leading to long-lasting conflicts in Ireland.

Renaissance: Medicine, Science & Fashion

• Medicine: Advancements included Andreas Vesalius's work on human anatomy and William Harvey's discovery of blood circulation, plus new surgical techniques.
• Science: Nicolaus Copernicus's heliocentric theory (Earth orbits the Sun), Galileo Galilei's improvements to telescopes, and Isaac Newton's laws of motion and gravity.
• Fashion: Wealthy people wore elaborate garments like silk, velvet, ruffs, corsets, and embroidered gowns. Men wore doublets, hose, and feathered hats.

Rebellion vs. Revolution

• Rebellion: An uprising or protest against authority, that may not result in complete change (e.g., 1798 Irish Rebellion).
• Revolution: A complete overthrow of a government or system, resulting in significant changes (e.g., American or French Revolution).

Test your knowledge on the 1918 Irish Election, understanding the difference between primary and secondary sources, and exploring the concepts of bias and propaganda. Delve into the consequences of Sinn Féin's victory and its significance for Irish independence.