The Irish Conscription Crisis of 1918: How Forcing Irishmen to Fight Broke Britain's Hold on Ireland

The History of Ireland: Rebellion, Empire, and Independence — Fexingo History · Jun 24, 2026 · 7m · transcript

In April 1918, as World War I raged and the British Army faced a manpower crisis, Prime Minister David Lloyd George extended conscription to Ireland — a decision that would backfire catastrophically. This episode explores the Conscription Crisis of 1918, a pivotal moment when Irish nationalism, Catholic Church authority, and labour unrest fused into a united front against Westminster. We follow the campaign led by John Dillon, Éamon de Valera, and the Irish bishops, the general strike that shut down the country on April 23, 1918, and the American note that forced Lloyd George to back down. We…