Growth of Sinn Growth of Sinn FeinFein

To what extent would you agree that in To what extent would you agree that in 1918 nationalist Ireland voted against the 1918 nationalist Ireland voted against the IPP, rather than for an Irish republic.IPP, rather than for an Irish republic.

……..voted against the IPP...voted against the IPP.

IPP’s record of support for the war, going IPP’s record of support for the war, going back to Woodenbridgeback to Woodenbridge

Irrelevant that they condemned Irrelevant that they condemned conscription..had already been identified conscription..had already been identified in the popular mind with the war.in the popular mind with the war.

Due to Redmond had been too closely Due to Redmond had been too closely identified with the British govt. Actions identified with the British govt. Actions such as execution of rebel leaders in such as execution of rebel leaders in 1916 damaged reputation of IPP1916 damaged reputation of IPP

Redmond had been too closely identified Redmond had been too closely identified with compromise and failure eg Lloyd with compromise and failure eg Lloyd George talks 1916 and Convention 1917-George talks 1916 and Convention 1917-1818

Frustration at delay in implementing Frustration at delay in implementing Home Rule and the knowledge that there Home Rule and the knowledge that there would almost certainly be partitionwould almost certainly be partition

……..Vote for Sinn Fein..Vote for Sinn Fein

SF had maintained identity separate from SF had maintained identity separate from both war and governmentboth war and government

Closely identified in the popular mind with Closely identified in the popular mind with the martyrs of 1916the martyrs of 1916

Victims of the British attempt to discredit Victims of the British attempt to discredit them through the German Plotthem through the German Plot

Leaders imprisoned by the BritishLeaders imprisoned by the British Had been at forefront of anti-conscription Had been at forefront of anti-conscription

movementmovement

Vote for SF or republic?Vote for SF or republic?

SF an umbrella organisationSF an umbrella organisation Central policy on gaining first a republic Central policy on gaining first a republic

and then let the people decide the future and then let the people decide the future status of Ireland was a fudgestatus of Ireland was a fudge

Consequently a vote for SF was not Consequently a vote for SF was not necessarily a vote for a republic. The necessarily a vote for a republic. The deputy leader of SF was not a republicandeputy leader of SF was not a republican

ConclusionConclusion

Most definitely a vote against IPP, British, Most definitely a vote against IPP, British, and conscriptionand conscription

A vote for SF and the legacy of the 1916 A vote for SF and the legacy of the 1916 risingrising

Impossible to describe it as a vote for a Impossible to describe it as a vote for a republic since even SF itself was unclear republic since even SF itself was unclear on this issueon this issue