Irish Perspectives on the Declaration of Independence

"Irish men and Irish women, in the name of God and of the dead generations from which she receives her old tradition of nationhood, Ireland through us summons her children to her flag and strikes for her freedom. She now seizes that moment and supported by her exiled children in America and by gallant allies in Europe, but relying in the first on her own strength, she strikes in full confidence of victory. Six times during the past 300 years, they have asserted it in arms. We hereby proclaim the Irish Republic as a sovereign, independent state." -1916 Proclamation of the Irish Republic In this episode, we discuss the long and deep connections between Ireland and the United States. Topics include: -similarities and differences between the Irish Proclamation and the American Declaration of Independence -the economic and political situation in Ireland in the 1700s -the different concepts of independence in the Colonies and Ireland, from legislative independence under the British Crown to absolute independence -the complicated story of Theobald Wolfe Tone, founder of the United Irishmen and leader of the Irish rebellion in 1798 -the gradual dissemination in Ireland of three radical ideas from the American Revolution: 1) that revolutions against the British Empire could, in fact, succeed, 2) that the republican model of national sovereignty--as opposed to a constitutional monarchy--was viable, and 3) that religious freedom was an attainable goal