The Republic of Ireland became an independent nation through a series of political events between 1800 and 1949. These events are interrelated and are central to Ireland becoming its which is today. Ireland, otherwise known as Éire in Irish Gaelic, became a republic in 1949. It had been a long struggle for independence from Great Britain, dating back to the mid-12th century. After the successful Anglo-Norman intervention which began in 1167, Ireland had become a colony of Great Britain by 1171 (2). This meant that the king of England, King Henry II, would be the new lord of the country (2). Over the next 600 years or so, Irish resentment against the English would continue to arise. Attempts at rebellion and resistance to British rule and religion led to the establishment of the Act of Union in 1800 (16, p. 420). From this act followed the Great Potato Famine of 1845 (16, page 420). With the amount of carelessness shown by the British government, came the result of Home Rule (16, page 420). This was an idea presented in 1870, which was continued until the beginning of the 20th century (16, pages 420-421). The development of Sinn Féin and others carried forward these beliefs into Home Rule, resulting in the Easter Rising. The Easter Rising was a turning point: it was one of the first major acts towards gaining Irish independence. In 1919 the Anglo-Irish War began and from there a civil war ensued between the northern and southern states of Ireland ( ). In 1949, Ireland declared itself a republic, finally gaining full independence as a nation ( ). The Act of Union of 1800 was established following the rebellion of 1798 (12, page 1). The rebellion consisted of not only Irish troops, but also French troops… middle of paper… emigration and disease (12, p. 4). This sentiment would become a legacy that would shape the political developments of the late 19th century (ibid), including the idea of ​​Home Rule. Home Rule emerged shortly after the potato famine of 1870 (10, page 73). The Irish Parliamentary Party established this idea, seeking to encourage national pride, and in doing so the Irish Parliament would be re-established (10, page 73). This was to be achieved through a revival of language, sport and culture (12, page 9). The promotion of Home Rule seemed like a positive note, but problems arose. Pope Leo XIII, Ireland's Catholic hierarchy, opposed the idea of ​​Home Rule, because the movement's leader, Charles Stewart Parnell, was a Protestant (10, page 73). This issue would continue to grow well into the 20th century, dividing Ireland into two separate groups (10, p. 73).