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UNDERSTANDING 1917 AND BEYOND THE RISE OF SINN FÉIN

THE RISE OF SINN FÉIN

THE RISE OF SINN FÉINSinn Féin, as a political entity, was founded on 28th November 1905 at the first annual convention of the National Council. Based on policies he had previously written about in The Resurrection of Hungary (1904), Arthur Griffith presented a detailed programme that would be later published as ‘The Sinn Féin Policy’.

THE SINN FÉIN POLICY'Sinn Féin' began life as a slogan, used by many Irish nationalists and organisations – it is believed that it originates from an early motto of the Gaelic League: ‘Sinn féin, sinn féin amháain’, meaning ‘Ourselves, ourselves alone’. Arthur Griffith - a well known journalist and nationalist - then adopted this slogan to describe his policy that would go on to become the foundation of Sinn Féin. Formally a member of the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB), Griffith began to oppose their more radical aims. Griffith believed that Ireland could not win independence through physical means, nor was he fully convinced that self-governance could be achieved politically. Instead, Griffith urged a policy of passive resistance: refusal to pay taxes, boycotting of British goods as part of a wider plan to make Ireland self sufficient, creating independent Irish courts, the establishment of a National Council in Ireland and Irish MPs withdrawing from Westminster (abstention). As part of his policy, Griffith also supported the dual monarchy approach: that Ireland should become its own kingdom alongside Britain, with the two forming a dual monarchy – a shared monarch with two separate governments. Griffith believed that this approach was a lot more achievable, as it would be more acceptable to the British.

Despite the popularity of Griffith’s political writings (he published a journal called ‘Sinn Féin’ from 1906 until its banning in 1914) and the appetite for a self-governing Ireland, Sinn Féin had little influence outside of Dublin. This was all set to change after Easter 1916 when the party became more popular as a result of the Easter Rising.

SINN FÉIN AFTER THE RISINGOn Easter Monday, 24th April 1916, Republican rebels began an armed insurrection to take back Ireland from British rule. Mainly taking place in Dublin, the Easter Rising was crushed in under a week and the leaders executed. During and immediately after the Rising, the rebellion did not have the support of the general populace due to the destruction and loss of innocent lives that the fighting caused. It wasn’t until the British government decided to execute the leaders of the Rising that people began to sympathise with the rebels and their cause. Throughout the planning for the rebellion and the battle itself, Sinn Féin and its members had little, to no involvement. Despite this, the Easter Rising was labeled as the ‘Sinn Féin Rising’ and the ‘Sinn Féin Rebellion’. Sinn Féin’s wrongful

Arthur Griffith Griffith was a journalist and Irish Nationalist who gained fame for his political writings and later, his political career. Griffith was instrumental in the founda-tion of a number of national-ist organisations, newspapers and journals. Griffith believed that the most effective way of gaining Irish independence was through passive resistance and the creation of a dual monarchy with Great Britain. His political principles – on which Sinn Féin was founded - were outlined in his 1904 article The Resurrection of Hungry. After the founding of Sinn Féin, Griffith led the party until 1916, remained as an MP and was head of the delega-tion that negotiated the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921. After the ratification of the Treaty, Griffith became President of the second Dáil Éireann, but his presidency was short-lived as he died sud-denly in August 1922.

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UNDERSTANDING 1917 AND BEYOND THE RISE OF SINN FÉIN

THE RISE OF SINN FÉIN

association with the Rising came about because by 1916 the authorities in Dublin Castle, the Irish Parliamentary Party, Unionists, the police and the influential newspapers at the time used the term ‘Sinn Féin’ as a blanket term to describe the many separatist organisations that existed. After the Easter Rising, ‘Sinn Féin’ became the general term to describe all nationalists and the party itself became more popular due its association with the rebellion. This association led to an influx of members for the party, notably separatists who were inspired by the Rising and wished to establish a Republic by any means necessary.

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Sinn Féin aims at securing the International recognition of Ireland as an independent Irish Republic.

Having achieved that status the Irish people may by ref-erendum freely choose their own form of Government.

25th October 1917 - From the Constitution of Sinn Féin.

SINN FÉIN AFTER THE RISING

Some members still believed in Griffth’s original policy

of passive resistance aimed towards achieving a dual

monarchy.

Sinn Féin experienced an influx of separatists hoping

to establish a republic, if necessary, through violence.

It was just as important to be culturally independent as politically independent e.g.

speaking the Gaelic language or playing Gaelic games.

Many supporters used to be IPP supporters - this maintained

the link between the older nationalist tradition and the

new republican party.

REORGANISATION AND ELECTORAL SUCCESSBy the time the Sinn Féin Ard Fheis (party political conference) occurred in October 1917, the party had begun to undergo a change in direction. The membership had increased, taking in those inspired by, and imprisoned by the Rising. One of those imprisoned, Éamon de Valera, was a commander during the Easter Rising and was beginning to grow more influential within the party. This increase in separatist thinking, coupled with the growing anti-English sentiment in Ireland, helped the party to win a number of by-elections throughout the year and the promotion of the idea of Ireland as a republic started to become the more popular aim, as opposed to Griffth’s dual-monarchy proposal. There was also an acceptance within the new membership of the party that politics and violence would be an acceptable approach to this new republic. This change in thinking and policy was confirmed on 25th October at the Sinn Féin Ard Fheis. Griffith, who did not like Sinn Féin’s association with the Rising or the movement in policy towards a republic by any means necessary, resigned his leadership of the party leaving Éamon de Valera to be unanimously elected President of Sinn Féin.

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We go to build the nation up from within, and we deny the right of any but our own countrymen to shape its course. That course is not England's and we shall not justify our course to England.

28th November 1905 - Arthur Griffith speaking to the first an-nual convention of the National Council.

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UNDERSTANDING 1917 AND BEYOND THE RISE OF SINN FÉIN

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De Valera, although committed to political means of establishing a republic, also represented the new, more radical separatist movement that was taking over the party. The new constitution was also a mixture of Griffith's old policies (national self-sufficiency and abstaining from Westminster) and new policies that reflected the growing separatist mood of the party. This mixture of old and new, partnered with the mood of the nation, ensured that Sinn Féin appealed to a majority of the voting population. This was all but confirmed in the general election of December 1918 when Sinn Féin became the largest political party in Ireland, winning 73 of 103 seats compared to the Irish Parliamentary Party’s six (going into the election, they held 69 seats). The Irish Parliamentary Party had been the largest party in Ireland since the 1880s, but in the years after the 1910 general election, the political landscape in Ireland had changed quite radically.

>> The electorate had changed – as well as the Representation of the People Act of 1918 that increased the number of people eligible to vote (including women for the first time), those between the ages of 21 and 29 were first time voters. In that time they had seen Ireland’s involvement in the First World War, another Home Rule Act (suspended due to the war) and the Easter Rising

>> Compared to Sinn Féin’s more progressive policies and radical aim of achieving an independent republic, the IPP were viewed as an older, more moderate party who still favoured Home Rule under a British government

>> Sinn Féin’s popularity had grown significantly because of their association with the Rising, their aim of an independent republic and their opposition to conscription. In April 1918 the British government tried to impose conscription on Ireland in order to boost the number of troops. Despite the Irish Parliamentary Party campaigning against the imposed conscription, they had previously campaigned for nationalists to enlist in the British army.

THE IRISH REPUBLIC AND THE DECLINE OF SINN FÉINSinn Féin was now the largest party in Ireland and now had the support to begin implementing its policies. In the weeks after the general election, Sinn Féin MPs refused to sit at Westminster and instead established an Irish Parliament. Dáil Éireann (Assembly of Ireland) sat for the first time on 21st January 1919 in Dublin’s Mansion House and declared Ireland an independent republic. Sinn Féin invited all elected Irish MPs to attend, but no IPP or Unionist party members did so. On the same day, in an event unconnected to proceedings at the Dáil, two members of the Royal Irish Constabulary were ambushed and killed by members of the Irish Volunteers (who would later be renamed the Irish Republican Army) in County Tipperary. This action was the beginning of the War of Independence. The Volunteers believed that the declaration of the Irish Republic justified their actions against the British armed forces. In April 1919 at the second meeting of the Dáil, de Valera was elected President of Dáil Éireann, with Michael Collins taking on three roles as Minister of Finance within the Dáil government, director of intelligence of the Irish Volunteers and president of the Irish Republican Brotherhood. Collins was a key member of Sinn Féin and orchestrated many actions of the IRA during the War of Independence. Although Sinn Féin as a party didn’t directly orchestrate the War of Independence, they supported the war and

Éamon de Valera De Valera was born in New York to a Spanish father and Irish mother. Moving to Ireland at the age of two, he was raised in Limerick and grew up to be a passionate supporter of Irish language and culture. A militant nationalist, de Valera was one of the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising and only avoided execu-tion because of his American birth. After being realeased from prison (due to his participation in the Rising) de Valera rapidly ascended the ranks of Sinn Féin, becoming President of the party in October 1917. de Valera resigned from the party in 1926 after deep divisions caused by the Anglo-Irish agreement and the Civil War and formed Fianna Fáil. De Valera went on to serve as Irish Prime Minister (Taoiseach) on three occasions and as Irish President once. De Valera retired from politics in 1973 at the age of 90. He died in 1975.

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UNDERSTANDING 1917 AND BEYOND THE RISE OF SINN FÉIN

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continued a campaign of propaganda in both America and at the Paris Peace Conference, trying to convince the international community of Ireland’s legitimacy as an independent state. Sinn Féin political activities were largely overshadowed by the military campaign of the IRA until a truce was called in July 1921, ending the War of Independence. Arthur Griffith and Michael Collins led the negotiations with the British after the truce, which resulted in the Anglo-Irish Treaty in December. The Anglo-Irish Treaty would effectively spell the end of Sinn Féin in its current form, with the party splitting into Pro-Treaty (led by Griffith and Collins) and Anti-Treaty (led by de Valera) factions. The Treaty fell short of establishing a fully independent state, instead creating a self-governing state within the British Empire whose members had to swear an oath of allegiance to the British monarchy. Also, the predominantly unionist six counties in the north of Ireland were given the option to opt out and remain a part of Britain, which it did, creating the state of Northern Ireland. In January of 1922 Dáil Éireann passed the Treaty and the Provisional Government of the Irish Free State was created. De Valera resigned as President of the Dáil and was replaced by Griffith. A compromise was proposed between the two sides for the first election of the Irish Free State to be held in June 1922 – both sides would form a coalition government with a new constitution that would be favourable to both parties, with no mention of the British monarchy. The British government vetoed the proposal. Both sides went into the election under the name of Sinn Féin, with the Pro-Treaty side emerging victorious. De Valera and his followers continued to oppose the Treaty and refused to recognise the new Provisional government. As well as a political split, there was also a military divide as many members of the IRA were opposed to the Treaty. In the months leading up to the election, these Anti-Treaty forces began to occupy areas of Dublin, with the aim of starting a new conflict with the British. Under mounting pressure from the British authorities, on 28th June Michael Collins gave the order for a bombardment of the Four Courts in Dublin to clear it of Anti-Treaty forces, marking the beginning of the Irish Civil War. The war raged on until May 1923 resulting in defeat for the Anti-Treaty forces. As a result of the deep divisions created by the Anglo-Irish Treaty and the Civil War, Sinn Féin was spent as a political force. In April 1923, Pro-Treaty Dáil TDs (Teachta Dála – Member of Parliament) and other Treaty supporters formed Cumann na nGaedheal. At the Sinn Féin Ard Fheis in March 1926, de Valera proposed that elected members of Sinn Féin should be allowed to take their seats in the Dáil – Anti-Treaty Sinn Féin members had continued to boycott it – when and if the oath of allegiance to the British monarchy was removed. The proposal was rejected, resulting in de Valera resigning and forming a new party, Fianna Fáil, taking most of the Sinn Féin TDs with him. Sinn Féin would not gain prominence again until the 1970s, when it reformed in the backdrop of the Northern Ireland conflict.

Members of the First Dáil

Éireann

Members of the Irish

negotiation committee,

December 1921

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UNDERSTANDING 1917 AND BEYOND THE RISE OF SINN FÉIN

THE RISE OF SINN FÉIN

QUESTIONS

Draw and label a diagram which represents Sinn Féin's from their formation in 1905 to the formation of Fianna Fáil in 1926.

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GROUP TASK In pairs, study the timeline on pages 7 and 8 (along with lesson information and any other information you have researched) and create your own timeline made up of five events that you believe were most important in Sinn Féin's evolution from 1905 to 1926. Explain and justify the decisions you have made.

RESEARCH TASKSinn Féin were often referred to as the political wing of the IRA. Examine the links between the two entites. • When did this link first

occur? • What exactly were these

links?• Did the IRA help Sinn Féin to

achieve their goals?• How did the IRA evolve

along with Sinn Féin?• What became of the IRA

after the end of the Civil War?

ICT TASK (WORKING WITH SOUND)In pairs, research, script and record a radio interview with Arthur Griffith.Research and write a script which explores Arthur Griffiths role with Sinn Féin from 1905 until 1922. Find out: why he formed Sinn Féin in 1905; where did he first hear the term 'Sinn Féin'?; what inspired him; how did he feel after the Easter Rising was labelled the 'Sinn Féin Rising'; why did he step down as President in 1917?; Why did he side with the Pro-Treaty faction in 1921-22? Add any more questions that you believe to be relevant.

Using sound editing software, record and edit your interview. Save your recording and share it with your class.

Explain why 1917 was a pivotal year for Sinn Féin.

Describe the difference in policy of Sinn Féin before and after 1917. What contributed to this change?

Why did the Anglo-Irish Treaty cause a division in Sinn Féin

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UNDERSTANDING 1917 AND BEYOND THE RISE OF SINN FÉIN

THE RISE OF SINN FÉIN

FURTHER READING

For further information on Sinn Féin's campaign for international recognition of Irish independence, search online for "Ireland and the Paris Peace Conference: How Sinn Féin Waged a Diplomatic War" from Irish Central.For further information on the decline of the IPP, search online for "The Decline of Irish Parliamentary Party" from The Irish Revolution. For a full transcript of the Declaration of Independence, as proclaimed on the first day of Dáil Éireann search online for "Declaration of Independence" from Documents on Irish Policy.

If viewing on a computer or mobile device, tap on the arrows to go directly to the website!

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UNDERSTANDING 1917 AND BEYOND THE RISE OF SINN FÉIN

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1899 Griffith establishes the United Irishman.

1900 September. Griffith establishes Cumann na nGaedhael to unite separatist groups and clubs.

1904 Griffith publishes ‘The resurrection of Hungary’ and starts to adopt the term ‘Sinn Féin’ to describe his policies.

1905 28th November. Sinn Féin founded as Griffith presents his passive resistance and dual monarchy theory as the ‘Sinn Féin policy’.

1907 Cumann na nGaedhael merged with Sinn Féin and a number of other movements to form the ‘Sinn Féin League’.

1916 The Easter Rising was labelled the ‘Sinn Féin rebellion’ despite having little, or no involvement. After the Rising, more hardline, republican elements start to jon the party.

1917 October. Griffith steps down as President of Sinn Féin in favour of Eamon de Valera.

1918 December. Sinn Féin win 73 seats, replacing the Irish Parliamentary Party as the biggest party in Ireland.

1919 21st January. Abstaining from Westminster, Sinn Féin MPs establish the Dáil Éireann (Irish Parliament) and declare Irish Independence. On the same day, Irish Volunteers kill two members of the Royal Irish Constabulary. These killings are commonly referred to as the first deaths of the War of Independence.

1919 April. De Valera is voted president of the Dáil with Michael Collins serving as Minister of Finance, director of intelligence of the Irish Volunteers and president of the IRB.

1919 September. The British government outlaw the Dáil and Sinn Féin.

1921 13th May. Sinn Féin win 124 out of 128 seats in a general election for the Parliament of Southern Ireland (set up under the Government of Ireland Act, 1920). The elected members refuse to take their seats and the parliament is dissolved.

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UNDERSTANDING 1917 AND BEYOND THE RISE OF SINN FÉIN

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1922 January. The Anglo-Irish Treaty is ratified in the Dáil, leading to the establishment of the Provisional Government of the Irish Free State and also causing a split in Sinn Féin into pro-treaty and anti-treaty.

1922 16th June. In the Irish general election Pro-Treaty Sinn Féin win more seats than Anti-Treaty Sinn Féin. Despite agreeing to form a coalition government after the election, Anti-Treaty Sinn Féin TDs boycotted the new Dáil.

1922 28th June. The Irish Civil War begins when the Provisional Government begin a bombardment of Anti-Treaty forces in the Four Courts in Dublin.

1922 August. Arthur Griffith dies of heart failure and Michael Collins is killed by Anti-Treaty forces in an ambush at Béal na Bláth, County Cork.

1923 30th April. The Irish Civil War comes to an end with the defeat of the Anti-Treaty forces.

1923 27th August. Cumann na nGaedheal top the poll in the Irish general election.

1926 9th March. At a specially arranged Ard Fheis, de Valera resigns from Sinn Féin when it is decided they will continue their boycott of the Dáil.

1926 16th May. De Valera establishes Fianna Fáil, taking most Sinn Féin TDs with him.

1927 9th June. Cumann na nGaedheal top the poll in the Irish general election, closely followed by Fianna Fáil. Sinn Féin win only five seats.

1923 27th April. Pro-Treaty Dáil TDs and other Treaty supporters form Cumann na nGaedheal.

1921 16th August. Dáil Éireann (the Second Dáil) reconvenes and consists of members elected in the 1921 general election.

NOTES