Easter 1916

I recently got done writing a paer which I thought would be really boring, but after doing throrough research, I found myself inspired by what I had read. I am a very passionate person. Things often inspire me, and ideals make my emotions rise. This was defenitely one of those time. The paper dealt with the irish rebellion of Easter 1916, and a poem written by W. B. Yeats. I wanted to give you all a quick summary in the hopes that you will likewise be inspired. A group of ardent Irish nationalists, had been seeking their independence from England for a long time. Finally the day came where they felt they must take action. A group compiled form various nationalist groups assembled under the leadership of visisoners. The highest man named Pearse was a school teacher and a writer. The plan was to take the town of Dublin by force and hold it as long as possible. It was not the greatest plan for a successful victory, but they were driven by the hope of freedom and self rule, and so the plan went forward with iitial success. Among the participants were both men adn woman armed with watever form of weapon they could lay there hands on. Most were not military men, they were mearly patriots. At first the plan seemed to meet some good success. They took various key positions in the city and fortified them. The central head quarters was the Post Office. At first the managed to repel the advancing British Army. Pearse declared a free provisional government of Ireland, and for that short time the government of Ireland resided in a Post Office. Soon 1,600 Irishmen and woman were facing close to 5,000 British troops. The british then bombarded the city, destroying the rebels position. After days of fighting, they were forced to surrender. The judgement by the Brits was swift and cruel. Secret courtmartials were held for the men who had even minor leadership roles. 16 of the men were senteced to death, and shot by firing squads, some before they even had a chance to see their families on last time. One of the men had been wounded so badly he couldn't satnd, so the proped him up in a chair and shot him. These men probably went to their graves with a feeling, that whatr they had done was pointless, but they were wrong. Inspired by the hatred of the British, irishmen would finally have the drive to gain their independence. Where are the ardent nationalists, men whio are diven by a cause or an ideal whether it be religious, political, or soem other form? Must we only exist during times of crises? I would rather die for a cause that inspired me and pricked my conscience, than to stand idly by thinking only of me and my own pleasure and comfort. Where have they gone? Have they ceased to exist, these great men?