Socialism and its Opposition in Ireland

Before we examine the social and working conditions in Ireland in 1913, it is important to have a basic understanding of the tensions bubbling beneath the surface.

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The rise of trade unions was one of the most significant features of modern societies in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. This was particularly evident in urban industrial societies such as the US, France, Britain, and Germany. Trade unions would play a crucial role in politics, especially during the twentieth century.

Key Concept: Socialism

• Socialism is a political and economic theory that advocates for the state's ownership of the means of production (ways of making money) and distribution of them equally among the people.

• This means no private ownership of land, factories, railways, banks, or shops. Instead, the state would manage and control these industries. Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels developed the theory of socialism.

• By the end of the nineteenth century, socialism became a powerful force. The Industrial Revolution had created significant wealth disparities.

• A small minority had become wealthy and powerful, while most workers remained poor and unskilled. These workers and their families were referred to as the working class.

  • In countries like Britain, socialists sought reform through existing political systems rather than violent revolution. In 1893, the Independent Labour Party was formed, and James Keir Hardie became its first MP.

• The Labour Party pushed for greater taxes on the wealthy to fund better health, education, and housing for the working classes. However, socialism struggled to gain support in Ireland.

• By this time, some socialists were advocating for a more radical form of socialism known as communism.

  
  • All such groups were called left-wing parties, named after the politicians who sat on the left side of the National Assembly during the French Revolution of 1789.

Opposition to Socialism in Ireland

• In 1870, Karl Marx campaigned to release Fenian prisoners in British jails, believing that a successful revolution in Ireland would inspire a workers' revolt in Britain.
• Marx argued that if this occurred in Britain, the international capitalist system would be in crisis, paving the way for socialism. In 1870, Marx wrote:

"Ireland is the key to the British working-class movement."

• Despite socialism's growth across much of Europe, it struggled to gain widespread acceptance in Ireland. Several reasons accounted for this resistance:
  • Fear of Revolution: Many people in Ireland associated socialism with revolution. As socialists called for significant changes, they feared it could lead to societal collapse.
  • Rural Society: Ireland was predominantly rural, with most of the population being tenant farmers. Socialism focused on industrial workers and did not resonate with the rural population, including poor tenant farmers.
  • Catholic Church Opposition: The Catholic Church was a powerful influence on the Irish population and opposed socialism, viewing it as a "godless" ideal. Many socialists were anti-clerical.
  • The Home Rule Party: Most leaders in the Home Rule Party were Catholic middle-class members with strong ties to large farmers and businessmen. They saw socialism as a threat to their interests.
  • The Unionist Party: Led by large landowners and industrialists, the Unionist Party strongly opposed socialism.
  • Sectarianism: Belfast had the largest working-class community in Ireland. However, due to political and religious divisions, uniting Catholic and Protestant workers was challenging.