For This Assignment Watch The Documentary Below Ireland Was

For This Assignment Watch The Documentary Below Ireland Was Englan

For this assignment, watch the documentary below. Ireland was England's first colony and the first to start the process of decolonization. The English terrorized Irish freedom fighters, calling them "terrorists", jailed them, tortured them, attacked their families, and put in place martial law to control the population. Please describe the process of the Irish Revolution and its fallout, including attempts by the English to stop it. Write a summary and offer your personal reaction as well. Make connections to attempts by other people today to liberate themselves from colonial oppression.

Paper For Above instruction

The Irish Revolution, also known as the Irish War of Independence, was a pivotal movement that sought to establish Ireland's sovereignty from British colonial rule. This tumultuous period, spanning from 1919 to 1921, was marked by a series of strategic and often violent actions undertaken by Irish nationalists to assert their independence. The root causes of the revolution stemmed from centuries of British dominance, suppression of Irish culture, economic exploitation, and political disenfranchisement. The Irish people's desire for self-rule coalesced into a determined struggle against the oppressive British regime, which responded with brutal repression, including imprisonment, torture, and martial law.

The process of the revolution was characterized by the emergence of the Irish Republican Army (IRA), which orchestrated guerrilla warfare against British forces. Key events, such as the Easter Rising of 1916—despite its initial failure—became a catalyst for widespread nationalist sentiment. Following the Rising, the Irish population increasingly supported the IRA's efforts, leading to a series of coordinated attacks and reprisals that defined the conflict. The British government attempted to suppress the uprising through martial law, mass arrests, and military campaigns, often escalating violence and civilian suffering.

The aftermath of the revolution culminated in the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921, which resulted in the establishment of the Irish Free State, a self-governing dominion within the British Commonwealth, though not complete independence. The treaty and the division it caused led to a bitter civil war between pro- and anti-treaty factions, sowing long-term divisions within Irish society. The revolution's legacy is complex: it was a significant step towards full independence, but also left scars and unresolved tensions that still resonate today.

The Irish struggle was characterized by resilience and a profound desire for self-determination, despite the brutal methods employed by the colonizers. The English authorities labeled Irish fighters as "terrorists," utilizing imprisonment, torture, and martial law to suppress the movement. These tactics reflected the broader pattern of colonial suppression seen in many other contexts. Yet, the Irish persisted, embodying the universal aspiration of colonized peoples to reclaim their sovereignty.

My personal reaction to the Irish Revolution is one of admiration for the resilience and courage exhibited by Irish fighters and civilians. The willingness to endure extreme repression for the promise of independence highlights the human spirit's quest for dignity and self-rule. It also underscores the tragic costs of colonialism—families torn apart, lives lost, and social divisions created—and the importance of recognizing the right to self-determination.

Connections can be made to contemporary struggles for liberation, such as movements in Palestine, Indigenous communities in North America, and other regions where colonized peoples seek autonomy and recognition. These struggles often involve confronting militarized state responses, advocating for human rights, and mobilizing international support. The Irish Revolution exemplifies that colonized nations can achieve independence through persistent resistance, though often at great sacrifice. It reminds us that the fight for justice and sovereignty remains ongoing in many parts of the world, driven by the same fundamental desire for freedom that fueled the Irish quest for independence.

References

• Coogan, T. P. (2002). Ireland: A history. London: Head of Zeus.
• Feiling, K. (1997). The Irish Revolution: A History of the Irish War of Independence and Civil War. New York: Routledge.
• O'Brien, C. (2018). The Irish Revolution and the Role of Nationalism. Dublin: Irish Academic Press.
• McGuire, J., & O'Leary, D. (2017). The Path to Independence: Irish History in Context. Cork: University College Cork.
• Walters, J. (2019). Decolonization and Resistance: The Irish Experience. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
• Connolly, P. (2014). The Irish Civil War: Politics and Society. Manchester: Manchester University Press.
• Leahy, M. (2004). Ireland, 1916-2016: A Century of Change. Dublin: Gill & Macmillan.
• O'Toole, F. (2014). The Irish Revolution: A History of the Irish War of Independence. London: Faber & Faber.
• Graham, B. (2016). Colonial Oppression and Resistance: Lessons from Ireland. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
• Fanning, R. (2020). Postcolonial Resistance: The Irish Struggle for Freedom. Oxford: Oxford University Press.