Their followers, both Catholic and Protestant, served extensively in the British forces, many in three specially raised divisions with others in the Imperial and United States armies, John T. Prout being an example of an Irishman serving in the latter. Over 200,000 Irishmen fought in the war, in several theatres and either 30,000, or, if one …show more content…
The Unionists disagreed with this plan of action as they were waiting for the war to be over to get Home Rule which meant Ireland would have its own parliament but still stood under Irish rule. They feared an attempted revolution would make the English disregard their request and not grant them Home Rule.
The 1916 rising began on the 24th of April. The rebels began by taking over buildings in Dublin city such as the GPO, Bolands mill and Jacobs Factory. Their force consisted of over 1,000 rebels but they were greatly outnumbered by the British troops. The revolution was not a success and in order to warn off the Irish from attempting another rebellion, the English shot the leaders and the other helpers involved or were else sent to prison camps such as Frongoch in Wales.
The Irish felt they had to place the blame on someone for the Easter rising and set about placing the blame on Sinn Fein. Sinn Fein were not a very popular party but as more Irish civilians discovered the execution of the 1916 leaders, rebels and innocent people, their popularity started to rise