Sinn Féin: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 15:27, 9 December 2024

Sinn Féin

Sinn Féin is a political party active in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. It is known for its Irish republican ideology and its historical association with the Irish independence movement. The name "Sinn Féin" translates to "We Ourselves" or "Ourselves Alone" in English, reflecting the party's emphasis on Irish self-reliance and independence.

History[edit]

Sinn Féin was founded in 1905 by Arthur Griffith, initially as a movement advocating for Irish self-governance and the establishment of a dual monarchy with Britain. Over time, the party evolved to become the political wing of the Irish republican movement, particularly during the Irish War of Independence (1919-1921).

Early 20th Century[edit]

In the early 20th century, Sinn Féin gained prominence as a nationalist party advocating for Irish independence. The party's fortunes changed dramatically after the 1916 Easter Rising, a failed insurrection against British rule in Ireland. Although Sinn Féin was not directly involved in the Rising, it capitalized on the subsequent public sympathy for the rebels and won a landslide victory in the 1918 general election in Ireland.

The Irish War of Independence[edit]

Following the 1918 election, Sinn Féin MPs refused to take their seats in the British Parliament and instead established the First Dáil, an independent Irish parliament. This act marked the beginning of the Irish War of Independence, during which Sinn Féin, through its association with the Irish Republican Army (IRA), played a crucial role in the struggle against British forces.

The Treaty and Split[edit]

The Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921, which ended the war, led to a split within Sinn Féin. The treaty established the Irish Free State as a self-governing dominion within the British Commonwealth, but it also required an oath of allegiance to the British monarch. This division resulted in the Irish Civil War (1922-1923) between pro-treaty forces, who later formed Cumann na nGaedheal (and eventually Fine Gael), and anti-treaty forces, who remained with Sinn Féin.

Post-Civil War[edit]

After the civil war, Sinn Féin's influence waned as the party refused to recognize the legitimacy of the Irish Free State. Many of its members joined the newly formed Fianna Fáil in 1926, under the leadership of Éamon de Valera.

Modern Era[edit]

In the latter half of the 20th century, Sinn Féin re-emerged as a significant political force, particularly in Northern Ireland. The party became closely associated with the Provisional IRA, which was involved in the Troubles, a violent conflict in Northern Ireland from the late 1960s to 1998.

The Peace Process[edit]

Sinn Féin played a key role in the Northern Ireland peace process, which culminated in the Good Friday Agreement of 1998. This agreement helped to end the Troubles and established a devolved government in Northern Ireland, in which Sinn Féin has been a major participant.

Recent Developments[edit]

In recent years, Sinn Féin has grown in electoral strength in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The party advocates for Irish reunification and social justice issues, positioning itself as a left-wing alternative to the traditional parties in Ireland.

Ideology[edit]

Sinn Féin's ideology is rooted in Irish republicanism, which seeks the reunification of Ireland and the end of British rule in Northern Ireland. The party also espouses socialist policies, advocating for wealth redistribution, social equality, and public ownership of key services.

Leadership[edit]

Sinn Féin has been led by several prominent figures throughout its history. Notable leaders include Gerry Adams, who played a significant role in the peace process, and Mary Lou McDonald, the current president of the party.

Also see[edit]

Template:Northern Ireland politics

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-[[File:Logo_of_the_Sinn_Féin.svg|thumb|Logo_of_the_Sinn_Féin]] [[file:Arthur_Griffith_(1871-1922).jpg|right|thumb|Arthur_Griffith_(1871-1922)]] [[file:McGuinness-_1917_election.jpg|right|thumb|McGuinness-_1917_election]] [[file:Ruairí_Ó_Brádaigh_2004.jpg|thumb|Ruairí_Ó_Brádaigh_2004]] [[file:Bobby_Sands_Belfast_Irland@20160528_02.jpg|thumb|Bobby_Sands_Belfast_Irland@20160528_02]] [[file:Gerry_Adams_and_Martin_McGuinness.jpg|thumb|Gerry_Adams_and_Martin_McGuinness]] [[file:Report_on_Community_Policing_and_Rural_Crime_(47485570311)_(Ó_Caoláin_cropped).jpg|thumb|Report_on_Community_Policing_and_Rural_Crime_(47485570311)_(Ó_Caoláin_cropped)]] '''Sinn Féin''' (pronounced "shin fayn") is a [[political party]] in [[Ireland]] and [[Northern Ireland]]. The name means "We Ourselves" or "Ourselves Alone" in [[Irish language|Irish]]. The party was founded in 1905 by [[Arthur Griffith]]. Sinn Féin has historically been associated with the [[Irish republicanism|Irish republican]] movement and has played a significant role in the political landscape of both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
+[[File:Arthur Griffith (1871-1922).jpg|thumb]] [[File:McGuinness- 1917 election.jpg|thumb]] [[File:Ruairí Ó Brádaigh 2004.jpg|thumb]] [[File:Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness.jpg|thumb]] Sinn Féin
-==History==
+Sinn Féin is a political party active in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. It is known for its Irish republican ideology and its historical association with the Irish independence movement. The name "Sinn Féin" translates to "We Ourselves" or "Ourselves Alone" in English, reflecting the party's emphasis on Irish self-reliance and independence.
-Sinn Féin was established in 1905 by Arthur Griffith, who advocated for a dual monarchy similar to the [[Austro-Hungarian Empire]]. The party initially sought to achieve [[Irish independence]] through non-violent means. However, after the [[Easter Rising]] in 1916, Sinn Féin became more closely associated with the armed struggle for independence.
-In the 1918 general election, Sinn Féin won a landslide victory in Ireland, leading to the establishment of the [[First Dáil]] and the subsequent [[Irish War of Independence]]. Following the [[Anglo-Irish Treaty]] of 1921, the party split into pro-treaty and anti-treaty factions, leading to the [[Irish Civil War]].
+== History ==
+Sinn Féin was founded in 1905 by [[Arthur Griffith]], initially as a movement advocating for Irish self-governance and the establishment of a dual monarchy with Britain. Over time, the party evolved to become the political wing of the Irish republican movement, particularly during the Irish War of Independence (1919-1921).
-==Modern Era==
+=== Early 20th Century ===
-In the latter half of the 20th century, Sinn Féin became closely associated with the [[Provisional Irish Republican Army]] (IRA) during the [[Troubles]] in Northern Ireland. The party was often seen as the political wing of the IRA, advocating for the end of British rule in Northern Ireland and the reunification of Ireland.
+In the early 20th century, Sinn Féin gained prominence as a nationalist party advocating for Irish independence. The party's fortunes changed dramatically after the 1916 [[Easter Rising]], a failed insurrection against British rule in Ireland. Although Sinn Féin was not directly involved in the Rising, it capitalized on the subsequent public sympathy for the rebels and won a landslide victory in the 1918 general election in Ireland.
-The [[Good Friday Agreement]] in 1998 marked a significant turning point for Sinn Féin, as the party committed to achieving its goals through peaceful and democratic means. Since then, Sinn Féin has become a major political force in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
+=== The Irish War of Independence ===
+Following the 1918 election, Sinn Féin MPs refused to take their seats in the British Parliament and instead established the [[First Dáil]], an independent Irish parliament. This act marked the beginning of the Irish War of Independence, during which Sinn Féin, through its association with the [[Irish Republican Army (IRA)]], played a crucial role in the struggle against British forces.
-==Political Positions==
+=== The Treaty and Split ===
-Sinn Féin advocates for the reunification of Ireland and the establishment of a [[32-county republic]]. The party supports [[social justice]], [[economic equality]], and [[environmental sustainability]]. Sinn Féin is also known for its stance on [[Irish language]] rights and its opposition to [[austerity measures]].
+The Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921, which ended the war, led to a split within Sinn Féin. The treaty established the [[Irish Free State]] as a self-governing dominion within the British Commonwealth, but it also required an oath of allegiance to the British monarch. This division resulted in the Irish Civil War (1922-1923) between pro-treaty forces, who later formed [[Cumann na nGaedheal]] (and eventually [[Fine Gael]]), and anti-treaty forces, who remained with Sinn Féin.
-==Leadership==
+=== Post-Civil War ===
-The current leader of Sinn Féin is [[Mary Lou McDonald]], who succeeded [[Gerry Adams]] in 2018. The party's deputy leader is [[Michelle O'Neill]], who also serves as the [[Vice President of Sinn Féin]].
+After the civil war, Sinn Féin's influence waned as the party refused to recognize the legitimacy of the Irish Free State. Many of its members joined the newly formed [[Fianna Fáil]] in 1926, under the leadership of [[Éamon de Valera]].
-==Electoral Performance==
+== Modern Era ==
-Sinn Féin has seen significant electoral success in recent years. In the 2020 general election in the Republic of Ireland, the party won the highest number of first-preference votes, marking a historic breakthrough. In Northern Ireland, Sinn Féin is one of the largest parties in the [[Northern Ireland Assembly]].
+In the latter half of the 20th century, Sinn Féin re-emerged as a significant political force, particularly in Northern Ireland. The party became closely associated with the [[Provisional IRA]], which was involved in the [[Troubles]], a violent conflict in Northern Ireland from the late 1960s to 1998.
-==Related Pages==
+=== The Peace Process ===
-* [[Irish Republicanism]]
+Sinn Féin played a key role in the Northern Ireland peace process, which culminated in the [[Good Friday Agreement]] of 1998. This agreement helped to end the Troubles and established a devolved government in Northern Ireland, in which Sinn Féin has been a major participant.
-* [[Provisional Irish Republican Army]]
+=== Recent Developments ===
+In recent years, Sinn Féin has grown in electoral strength in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The party advocates for Irish reunification and social justice issues, positioning itself as a left-wing alternative to the traditional parties in Ireland.
+== Ideology ==
+Sinn Féin's ideology is rooted in Irish republicanism, which seeks the reunification of Ireland and the end of British rule in Northern Ireland. The party also espouses socialist policies, advocating for wealth redistribution, social equality, and public ownership of key services.
+== Leadership ==
+Sinn Féin has been led by several prominent figures throughout its history. Notable leaders include [[Gerry Adams]], who played a significant role in the peace process, and [[Mary Lou McDonald]], the current president of the party.
+== Also see ==
+* [[Irish Republican Army (IRA)]]
+* [[Easter Rising]]
 * [[Good Friday Agreement]]
-* [[Easter Rising]]
 * [[Irish War of Independence]]
 * [[Irish Civil War]]
-* [[First Dáil]]
+* [[Fianna Fáil]]
-* [[Mary Lou McDonald]]
+* [[Fine Gael]]
-* [[Gerry Adams]]
-* [[Michelle O'Neill]]
+{{Irish_political_parties}}
+{{Northern_Ireland_politics}}
-==Categories==
 [[Category:Political parties in Ireland]]
-[[Category:Political parties in Northern Ireland]]
 [[Category:Irish republicanism]]
-[[Category:Organizations established in 1905]]
+[[Category:History of Ireland]]
-{{Sinn Féin}}
-{{Ireland-party-stub}}