100 years ago history was made on the streets of Dublin as a small and poor island nation took a stand against one of the world’s mightiest powers. It’s a history not to be forgotten, remembered in the story books of Ireland’s school children and the architecture of its cities boulevards and laneways. There isn’t a single soul from that island who doesn’t remember the day.
Today, in a world defined by imperialist war and occupation, when we need to remember that we have more in common with our brothers and sisters across the Middle East and North Africa than we do with the Western governments waging war against them, we would do well to keep that memory close. And the rest of the world would do well to remember it also. If only because that was the day that British colonial rule received its first real blow in Europe, as Irish revolutionary rebels fought and declared an independent Irish Republic, free from the chains of British colonialism that had bound and bled them for 800 years.
The uprising was ultimately physically defeated, its leaders shamefully executed by firing squad. But it was already too late for Britain. The seeds of rebellion had been planted, and began spreading among other oppressed nations around the world. As James Connolly, a leader of the Easter Rising, once said: “If you strike at, imprison, or kill us, out of our prisons or graves we will still evoke a spirit that will thwart you, and perhaps, raise a force that will destroy you! We defy you! Do your worst!”
On the 100 year anniversary of the Easter Rising in 1916, Fire This Time would like to share this short article published by TeleSur, to help understand the facts and the significance of this historical event in a struggle that is far from over as the battle for the independence of Northern Ireland and for a United Ireland once and for all still continues today.
And as we commemorate it, let us also remember that the faces of the brave men and women who defied the odds one hundred years ago in Dublin, could easily be the faces of Iraqis, Afghans and Palestinians today; and many others who are struggling against Imperialism for dignity and self-determination. If we remember our history, we cannot misplace our solidarity. The struggle continues!
Five Things You Really Need to Know About Ireland's Easter Rising
Orginally published by TeleSUR
1. It Struck a Blow at the British Empire and for Independence Worldwide
During Easter Week 1916, Irish revolutionaries rose up to declare independence and an end to British imperial rule of their nation. Barricades across the capital city of Dublin sprung up with revolutionaries taking over key strategic landmarks and issuing the following Proclamation:
"We declare the right of the people of Ireland to the ownership of Ireland and to the unfettered control of Irish destinies, to be sovereign and indefeasible. The long usurpation of that right by a foreign people and government has not extinguished the right, nor can it ever be extinguished except by the destruction of the Irish people...
….we hereby proclaim the Irish Republic as a Sovereign Independent State, and we pledge our lives and the lives of our comrades in arms to the cause of its freedom, of its welfare, and of its exaltation among the nations…
...The Republic guarantees religious and civil liberty, equal rights and equal opportunities to all its citizens, and declares its resolve to pursue the happiness and prosperity of the whole nation and of all its parts, cherishing all of the children of the nation equally, and oblivious of the differences carefully fostered by an alien Government, which have divided a minority from the majority in the past.”
2. It Inspired the Push for Socialism and Revolution in Europe
Ireland’s Easter rebellion has often been described as the first socialist revolution in Europe. One of the leaders James Connolly was an important international socialist figure.
It was certainly the first major revolt by the exploited in Europe since the beginning of World War I, which had turned nation against nation and dampened internal class struggles as the pressure to "fight for your country" trumped the calls to fight for social justice. Ireland’s rebellion was soon followed by other rebellions in Europe against the war and for socialism including in Russia in 1917 and Germany in 1918-19.
3. The British Empire Showed Its Cruelty – Within Its Own Borders
The rebellion was viciously put down by the British Army which sent in 20,000 troops and even used a gunboat, destroying large areas of Dublin. After the defeat of the rebellion, all seven signatories to Ireland’s Proclamation of Independence were executed by British soldiers along with other leaders. In the days following the rebellion's defeat, 1,500 people were rounded up and interned.
4. The Rebellion Sparked Huge Public Sympathy
The ruthless reaction by the British forces served only to spur the revolutionary movement which swept the general election just two years later with Irish nationalist party Sinn Fein winning 73 of the 105 seats. In 1919, Sinn Fein MPs declared a separate revolutionary parliament and ratified the 1916 independence proclamation.
5. Women Played an Important Role
The 1,400 or so Irish rebels involved in the uprising included 200 from the women's military brigade Cumann na mBan. Constance Markievicz was one of the most prominent women in the rebellion. A politician, freedom fighter, suffragette and socialist, she was jailed when the rebellion failed but later became one of the first women in the world to hold a Cabinet position (as minister for labor) in the soon to be formed Irish Republic.
Source: TeleSUR
Back to Article Listing
