The very idea of colonial subjugation of territories gradually became less and less relevant, and so the most developed subaltern states sought to overthrow the monarch at the head. This statement is also true of the Easter Rising in Ireland, which sought to proclaim the independence of the Irish republic from British rule. This essay summarizes the reading on the search for a connection between the historical revolution and the cultural origins of its origins.
It is paramount to recognize that the study of history cannot be impartial, much less accurate. Contemporaries are forced to use materials that have passed through several generations, which means that the probability of introducing factual errors increases. In addition, one cannot deny the subjectivity of the author of original materials since, as it is known, history is written by the victors. The Irish Rebellion of 1916 is an excellent example of such an argument because, in order to accurately examine the fundamental driving forces and motives of the revolutionaries, researchers are forced to use the paradigm of contemporary politics and the fact that the rebellion was suppressed by the British forces. In the discussed context, the author of the chapter recalls Hobsbawm’s seminal work, which formed the category of the invented tradition. In particular, consideration of aspects of the socio-economic and cultural environments of the Irish community cannot be entirely accurate due to the artificial attribution of historical traditions to them that were not relevant to the Irish revolutionaries.
Nevertheless, the possibility of making a mistake should not mean abandoning historical research but rather should encourage a more thoughtful examination of the factors. Thus, the Easter Rising of 1916 served as a culmination of aspects of Irish nationalism that included political and cultural components. In particular, the repressive government in London could not help but disturb the locals, and the ideological conflict resulted in the first episodes of open opposition to the monarchy: the emancipation of Catholicism, the attempted rejection of the Act of Union, the potato riot, and the eventual formation of a brotherhood of revolutionaries. The cultural conflict was driven by the Irish desire to preserve their own historical heritage, defend traditional sovereignty, and strengthen the value integrity of the region. Consequently, the preconditions for the formation of a military rebellion were sufficient.
Thus, traditional heritage served as an important milestone for the creation of the anti-government militia in 1916. Recognition of the cultural significance of Irishness and religion, the desire to resist the king’s inadequate and repressive reforms, and the educational practices of the new state served as tools to mobilize young Irishmen. The leaders of the rebellion skillfully used these methods in order to attract as many supporters as possible, and therefore tradition can be used as a tool for historical analysis. Nevertheless, this must be done carefully so as not to initiate the invention of tradition.