Sinn Fein was formed in 1905, and its first leader was Arthur Griffith. Sinn Fein rose to prominence because of its perceived role as the leading force behind the 1916 Rising.

The execution of the leaders of the 1916 Rebellion changed the political situation in Ireland forever. The Rebellion had focused attention on the long history of British injustice in Ireland and had demonstrated that the cause of Irish independence and freedom ran deep within the people of Ireland. 

The killing of Thomas Ashe in 1917 by force feeding while on hunger strike, and the attempted conscription of Irish people into the British army were two of the significant events post 1916. By this time the Home Rule party was weakened and discredited. Sinn Fein became the organization for the many and diverse groups who championed a free and independent Ireland.

The landslide victory by Sinn Fein in the general…