First World War Essay Example

First World War Essay The outbreak of the First World War undoubtedly contributed to the transformation of Irish politics 1914 1918. The onset of war having stalled the constitutional negotiations in Ireland left the main political party in Ireland in a vulnerable position. Failure of the War Office to acknowledge the recruitment of the Irish to the war effort antagonised many Irish citizens whilst Redmonds Irish Political Party appeared to have little to offer the Nationalists who sought independence for Ireland. Redmonds speech at Wooden Bridge saw his loyalties and motives questioned. The prolonged war accompanied by impatience and disillusionment with Irish Politics brought the Irish Question to the fore in 1916 with the Easter Rising at the same time attributing to a revolution in Irish Politics. Undoubtedly the handling of the affair by the British Government, contributed to a political change of allegiance and for those that were previously apathetic; it managed to unite people who demanded a more pro-active stance from their electoral representatives. The British War unquestionably contributed to a transformation in Irish politics; with the rise of Sinn, a popular alternative to the IPP, a further transformation emerged.Divisions however, existed long before beforehand particularly between the British and Irish with Irish support drawn against the British during the Boer War; Cecil Rhodes support for Home Rule and for Parnell drew support from many Nationalists; Donal McCracken notes that, it is not the empire as it then existed that attracted the Irish so much as the vision Rhodes had offered them in 1888 imperialism of the home rule stripe or Home Rule plus empire.1 Following the defeat of the Home Rule at the hands of the House of Lords (1893) Donal McCracken also adds that though the Irish were down, the Boers still knew so well how to preserve the independence of their country.2Initially the suspension of the newly implemented Home Rule Bill would directly affect Iris h politics. Its suspension was a direct result to the outbreak of war; for Redmond and the Irish Political Party, Home Rule appeared further away than ever. The frustration at the suspension of Home Rule would eventually impact on the decline of the IPP. Paul Aldeman states that Home Rule became a cheque continually post-dated;3 however the principle of the partition of Ireland had been accepted by all sides and that was to be important for the future.4 Redmond was prepared to consider a temporary exclusion of distinctly protestant areas of Ulster whilst Carson accepted the decision reluctantly as it required deserting southern Unionists. The rejection of the amending bill in June 1914 by the House of Lords saw the House of Lords replace the permanent exclusion of Ulster with their own amendment, insisting on the county option.Tensions flared between Nationalists and Unionists, Civil War loomed closer. Following a long running conflict of interests in the constitutional rights of I reland; support had grown dramatically for both the Ulster Volunteer Force and the Irish Volunteers; war again attributed to their popularity. The formation and growth of both organisations would deeply influence the future of Irish and British politics. The prospect of Civil War in Ireland was a real possibility; Michael Laffan notes that Carson was fortunate that the European crisis distracted attention from Ulster.5Another way in which the war impacted on Irish politics was Redmonds call for the Irish Volunteers to join the British Army, in his speech at Wooden Bridge; a move that increased the frustration of Nationalists and instilled suspicions as to Redmonds motives. The formation of the Ulster Division by Kitchener at the war office incited further cultural and political unrest, in light of the Curragh Mutiny, the armys unionist sympathys and issues surrounding gun running on both sides appeared to favour Unionists.The war impacted further on Irish politics, with the failure of the War Office initially, to accommodate Redmonds Irish Volunteers with the establishment of an Irish Brigade further infuriated Nationalists; whilst at the same time appeared to undermine Redmond and the IPP Alvin Jackson adds that The key difficulty with the Irish Party lay, therefore, in the fact that after 1914, it had little or nothing to offer the Irish electorate beyond a call to join the British Army.6 Nationalists therefore had more reason to resent Redmonds call to war. The stance in supporting the war by the Irish Political Party and the Ulster Unionists was inevitably in the hope of gleaning support from the British Government with regards to their Irish claims.JJ Lee remarks it was not until Redmond actually urged his followers at Wooden Bridge to volunteer for the British Army, that the more extreme Nationalists felt compelled to repudiate him.7 Redmonds speech at Wooden Bridge was ultimately a key factor in the transformation of Irish politics. The issues of physic ally supporting the British War offensive caused a split within the Irish Volunteers with criticism directed solely at Redmond. Regarding Redmond and the IPP, Alvin Jackson comments that Wooden Bridge and the Irish loss at Flanders functioned as a grim mechanism for its own destruction.8 Pauric Travers derives that failure to harness the enthusiasm of the Volunteers not only damaged Irish recruitment but also helped drive the young men into the hands of militant nationalists.9The transformation of British politics in May 1915 would again influence Irish Politics. Asquiths formation of a coalition government in order to remain in power comprised of conservatives opposed to Home Rule. Carson joined the cabinet, Redmond, however, refused. Redmonds refusal may have been viewed as a stance against the British; in the eyes of many nationalists it removed him and the IPP from direct involvement with negotiations. Paul Adelman suggests Redmonds alliance with the Liberals in effect came to a n end with the formation of the coalition government All this played into the hands of extreme Irish Nationalists, who were already waiting in the wings to take advantage of the wartime difficulties of the British government.10The face of Irish politics was to transform once again, war presenting the opportunity for Nationalist rebels to mark their stance. War had undermined the Nationalists achievements whilst it afforded new opportunities for radical critics; it contributed to Nationalists cynicism of Irish politics driving extremists to pursue a new way forward.The split within the IPP having driven extremists opposed to British Rule and the war into the hands of the Irish Republican Brotherhood; the result saw a movement front a rebellion in an attempt to expel the British in 1916. War once again afforded the opportunity for Nationalists to place emphasis on their plight. No-one could have estimated the impact the rebellion would have in the transformation of Irish politics; ul timately it was responsible for the rise of Sinn Fein whilst further ensuring demise of the IPP.Infiltration of the Gaelic League by the IRB along with the influences of Patrick Pearse and Socialist James Connolly played a major role in what became the Easter Rising. The involvement of Roger Casement and Clan na Gael in America with Count Bernstorff saw a promise of German recognition of Ireland as a Republic. However the interception of the Aud on the eve of the Rising dealt a major blow to the rebels with the seizure of a consignment of arms. The arrest of Casement after disembarking a German submarine saw him tried, found guilty of treason and subsequently executed. Pauric Travers remarks that the German connection was peripheral to the main preparations of the rising.11 The Rising, from the Unionist perspective, perceived all nationalists as disloyal; particularly with the introduction of conscription in Ireland having been strongly opposed by Redmond. Thomas Hennessey adds that the Rising owed a considerable debt to the fact that the United Kingdom was involved in a major European war.12The aftermath of the Rising was to prove much more significant and instrumental in altering Irelands political history whilst attributing to divisions and negotiations that would affect both British and Irish for decades to come. The British Governments handling of the insurgents greatly influenced and altered Irish Politics. Joseph Lee perceives, The insurrection of 1916 was a desperate gamble. Remarkably it paid off, largely because the British execution of the rebels outraged a previously indifferent population.13The repercussion of the rebellion was handed over to the army by Asquith. A draconian policy of imprisonment or internment accompanied by wholesale arrests and executions was to follow. Alvin Jackson states that, What this rather crude but not particularly brutal reaction achieved was an active sympathy for militant nationalism where often only a passive intere st had existed this sequence of actions could not have been better calculated to endorse revolutionary nationalism14 Whilst Pauric Travers comments that The executions replenished the national pantheon of martyrs in a way which death in combat would never have done.15 Internment camps, however, gave nationalists the emotional incentive acting as revolutionary academies providing opportunities for political education whilst allowing valuable contacts to be made.Alvin Jackson suggests, as in the past with the Fenian rising in 1867 and the Clan na Gael bombers in the 1880s Irish parliamentarians had been far enough removed from the British Government but close enough to militant factions to benefit from both.16 Alan ODay adds that the detention of suspected sympathisers during the next few weeks increased hostility towards Britain, hardening popular opinion and damaging the standing of Redmond and the Irish Party.17War contributed to a knock on effect between Irish and British politic s. Once again the British government were destined to secure a new settlement with the involvement of Lloyd George on Asquiths request. Pauric Travers suggests that whilst the Irish Convention was primarily a means for placating American opinion and the Irish Party, it did pose some threat to Northern Unionists.18 Alvin Jackson states that the rebels had been able to achieve what had eluded the parliamentarians since August 1914 the reactivation of the national question,19Widespread public criticism and condemnation of the British handling in wake of the Easter Rising and the failure of the 1916 negotiations with Lloyd George had a dramatic impact on Irish Politics. Ultimately the failure in negotiations with Lloyd George had also impacted on the shift of allegiance within Irish Politics. Redmonds belief was that the partition proposals were temporary whilst Carsons acceptance of the six counties was viewed as permanent. The failure dealt a severe blow to Redmond and the IPP seriou sly weakening their authority and position. Michael Laffan adds, Irish nationalists concluded that he had been fooled, or out-manoeuvred, or both, and the already tottering Parliamentary Party never recovered from the blow.20With Asquiths abilities as war leader under scrutiny, Lloyd Georges collaboration with the Conservatives saw Asquith relinquish his power; Lloyd George assuming the role of Prime Minister. It was necessary for the government to try to find a solution to the problems in Ireland to avoid further distraction from the war.The failure of Unionists and Nationalists in the form of the Irish Convention to find a solution to the political situation in Ireland further undermined the political stance of the IPP whilst Sinn Feins popularity gained substantially. Michael Laffan argues that Notably the conventions membership did not reflect the changes taking place in Irish political life, in particular the shift of Nationalist opinion towards Sinn Fein.21 The abandonment of the Southern Unionists by the Northerners saw the Southerners flank with Redmond in the hope of preserving a better deal for themselves with the inevitability of Home Rule. J J Lee notes the main contribution of the convention was to show that Southern Unionists were now seeking to accommodate themselves to the likelihood of a Southern State22 whilst Alvin Jackson notes the disintegration of Irish Unionism involved considerable internal acrimony.23The release of interned prisoners altered the face of politics in 1917. Prior to this there had been no single cohesive party to challenge the IPPs 50 year political reign. Upon release militant nationalists that had previously been split into numerous separatist groups united under Sinn Fein; a move that would eventually displace the IPP. Sinn Fein although not directly involved with the Easter Rising benefited immensely from it. In Ireland the elections of 1917 saw allegiance shift from the IPP to Sinn Fein with Sinn Fein winning two by- elections and acquiring safe Redmondite seats. A prominent change in particular was with Plunkett claiming victory in Roscommon whilst De Valera achieved success in East Clare. The release of prisoners from internment and the empathy towards them also helped boost the credibility of Sinn Fein. Arthur Griffiths Sinn Fein Policy 1905 1907 saw newly elected members adopt the abstinence policy adding further to political difficulties.The intensity of war in particular the German offensive on the Western Front once again saw the British Government contemplate expanding conscription to Ireland; gain this had implications on Irelands Political Parties whilst Cultural Nationalism proved a major influence.Lloyd Georges dual policy of immediate enactment of Home Rule linked to conscription outraged Nationalists. The Mansion House Conference saw De Valera, Griffith, members of the Irish Party and the Irish labour party unite against conscription. The Catholic Churchs anti- conscription stance branding it oppressive and inhumane further strengthened the psychological partition. The opposition to conscription and the war effort contradicted that of other Nations. Pauric Travers comments, Everywhere churches rallied to the patriotic mood and only in Nationalist Ireland was the mood opposed to war.24 Widespread opposition and protest saw the government back down with conscription never imposed in Ireland.The elections in 1918 saw Sinn Fein claim 73 seats although not entirely unexpected due to their noted rise in membership between 1917 and 1918. The pledge with the Irish Labour Party inevitably saw Sinn Fein in contention with the IPP for seats.World War On undeniably contributed to the transformation in Irish Politics. A key factor initially was the duration of the war instigating discontentment following the initial suspension of Home Rule. The failure of the IPP to offer the Irish electorate a clear vision following the onset of war further attributed to their fall from grace. Britains handling following the Easter Rising is notably one of the most significant factors that attributed to a transformation in Irish politics; attributing directly to the rise to power of Sinn Fein and ultimately to the demise of the IPP. The conscription crisis with the backing of the church added to Sinn Feins popularity.The Irish economy also suffered as a result of the war, whilst agriculturalists initially thrived, industry within Dublin declined with major factories reducing working hours; undoubtedly this helped boost Sinn Feins popularity. The transformation in politics within Ireland would have been inevitable without the onset of war; however, afforded extreme Nationalists the opportunity and the motive for change. In doing so the face of Irish politics changed dramatically with the emergence of Sinn Fein, the rise to power and ultimately their election success in 1918. The demise of the IPPs 50 year reign can be attributed to the impact and the demands of war ; from the suspension of the Home Rule, the economic climate, Redmonds speech at Wooden Bridge, failure of the War Office to acknowledge the Irish war effort and conscription ultimately pushed Nationalists patience to their limits. The foundations had been laid for extremists to act, culminating with the Easter Rising. Factionists groups united in the ashes of the Rising seeking an alternative to IPP whilst finding it in Sinn Fein; in turn the Unionists staunchly united against Home Rule. First World War Essay Example First World War Essay DULCE ET DECORUM EST these are the first words of a Latin saying (taken from a limerick by Horace). The words were widely understood and often quoted at the start of the First World War. They mean It is sweet and right. The full saying which ends the poem is Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori which means that: it is sweet and right to die for your country. In other words the poet is trying to emphasize how it is a wonderful and great honour to fight and die for your country.NO MORE HIROSHIMAS is a slogan which was given sarcastically by the government in order to show that a Hiroshima (atomic bomb) had caused so much damage and that they really did not want another one. In this poem, James Kirkup explores many factors which make Japan seem unchanged and a few factors which show the catastrophe and deaths which took place in Japan. James describes peoples bodies as relics. A relic is a part of the body which belongs to a martyr. In other words, James is calling the people of Japan martyrs.Wilfred Owen uses many images to portray many aspects about the chaos and danger of the war. An example of this is when he uses the phrase till on the haunting flares we turned our backs. He uses this to imply that rockets which were sent up to burn with a brilliant glare, were actually in order to light up men and other targets in the area between the front lines. In order to show how tired the soldiers were, he says that the soldiers began to trudge towards their distant rest. By making this comment, he was trying to show that they were sent to a camp away from the front line where exhausted soldiers could rest for a few days, or longer. Also, phrases like of gas shells dropping softly behind show that the soldiers have struggled beyond the reach of these shells which are now falling behind them as they struggle away from the scene of battle.Wilfred Owen shows the soldiers suffering by describing them as blood-shod, and using images like Drunk with fatigue; deaf even to th e hoots. This image illustrates that the soldiers were so deaf because of hearing the noise made by the shells which were continuously rushing through the air.In the poem: No More Hiroshimas, James Kirkup uses many adjectives and images to describe how Japan is not much different from what it used to be and how it remains unchanged. However, he mentions that Japan is now sad and refusing rehabilitation. He supports his observation by telling the reader that: life is still going on due to the fact that department stores are still open, there are still neon, flashy over tiled roofs. The poet describes people as noisy and cheerful, which I think is untrue because after such an atomic bomb which had caused devastation on a wide scale, why would people who could have possibly lost their relatives be cheerful? James uses a lot of descriptive and emotive language in order to show that Japan is redeveloping and in an excellent condition.He describes Japans wealth and peoples feelings in Jap an throughout the majority of the poem. In fact it is not until the last two stanzas where he actually reveals the horrors that were caused by the Hiroshima. James describes the bodies of the people that died as relics that made him weep. He also describes some of the other events that were a consequence of the disaster. A few examples of this are the burnt clothing, the stopped watches and the torn shorts. These images are very graphic and give the reader a true idea of what the people actually felt like and what kind of situation they were facing.The last two lines of the poem are very effective because James says that we should remember only the things that made the people suffer and the catastrophic events because these are the memories we need. This phrase is very important because it implies that we should only remember the destruction and catastrophe which took place. We should also remember the people who lost their lives. The word relics is used to describe their bodies. Th is word is very strong (as explained above) and this draws attention to the peoples deaths.Wilfred uses many examples of repetition. At the start of the second verse, the word GAS! is repeated two times. The first time, in which the word is repeated, lower case letters are used. However, the second time that the word is repeated, it is in upper case lettering. This implies the sense of panic because it is likely to be a poisonous gas. From the symptoms which are described as drowning, it would appear to be chlorine or phosgene gas. The filling of the lungs with a fluid had the same effects as when a person drowned because of phosgene or chlorine.The panic which is created is because Wilfred Owen is trying to portray the image of death to reader and how the soldiers are about to loose their lives because of the poisonous gas. The poet also tries to confirm the feeling of panic by building up tension in the poem. He does this by showing the reader that the soldiers are struggling to k eep hold of their lives and are trying to fit their clumsy helmets on just in time. These helmets are actually gas masks. Other ways in which Owen creates panic are by using onomatopoeias like yelling out and stumbling. The poet shows the reader that the soldiers cannot see through the misty pains and thick green light. The misty pains are the glass bits in the gas masks which should make it possible to see. These pains are however, described as misty. The thick green light is the mist from the chlorine gas which made visibility quite poor. The detailed description of the gas shows the reader that there is no hope and that the soldiers are about to die.James Kirkup uses repetition to emphasize certain aspects of life in Japan that are unaffected by the Hiroshima. An example of this is: the river remains unchanged, sad, refusing rehabilitation. By repeating this particular line twice in the 2nd paragraph, James is trying to draw the readers attention to this particular aspect of life in Japan.Wilfred Owen describes a soldier who was helpless and who was guttering, choking and dieing. These strong and emotional words show how the soldier was suffering and dieing violently. Owen probably meant that the soldier was flickering out like a candle or gurgling like water draining down a gutter, referring to the sounds in the throat of the choking man. Also, it could be a sound partly like stuttering and partly like gurgling. Even though, Wilfred shows the death of the soldiers, he also shows their enthusiasm by using phrases like My friend, you would not tell with such high zest.James Kirkup describes the people and places in Japan with many adjectives which show that even though the country had been bombed by a Hiroshima, Japan and its people have a lot of enthusiasm in order to rebuild the country and peoples lives.

How to Find a Job With Public Relations Expert Ryan May

How to Find a Job With Public Relations Expert Ryan May Ryan May has 12 years of public relations experience under his belt, and it’s taught him quite a bit about finding a job, something he shares among other insights on the Minnesota Public Relations Blog. We spoke with Ryan about what PR can teach us about a job search. What can job seekers learn from public relations?Public relations or PR is a unique industry, as it touches on so many different industries. To be in PR means you have to be prepared to learn about every industry your clients need.How important is your online footprint? Can you really lose out on a job thanks to a tweet?Having a strong online footprint is very important, but ensuring that it is strategic and thoughtful is more important. Don’t post stuff to social media that is not good for your long-term reputation. Job seekers have definitely lost out on job opportunities because of their tweets or Facebook posts.What mistakes  do you see employers making when they’re looking for job candidates? Employers often overlook excellent candidates because they don’t have a high enough GPA. If a candidate has a solid B average and has been working three jobs while going to school, they should not be overlooked because they don’t have a 3.5 GPA.What are some urban legends you’ve seen floating around about hiring mistakes these days, and is there any truth to them?There are plenty of urban legends about today’s job search. My favorite is that the more resumes you send out, the better your odds of finding a job. This idea is completely wrong. Find a job you want, and then thoughtfully work on networking your way into the job.What should everyone looking for a job be doing to better promote themselves?Not everyone needs a blog, but everyone today should have a website to outline their skills.