How Far Do These Sources Agree with the Statement free essay sample

Source D praises a Fenian success and commemorates three executed radicals. During this event, Fenian revolutionaries attempted to break 2 of their leaders out of court. These three men were executed on the murder of a policeman in 1867. This American produced poster was created in memory of their bravery and determination and shows them as martyrs who died for a worthy cause. This source supports the view of Fenians in Source D as both depict the event as evidence that the Fenians are willing to go to great lengths in order to obtain their goals. Source C mentions that it is an ‘alarming illustration of the extent of organisation and the capacity of those who direct it. ’ This shows how both Sources depict the event as something people should be made aware of and remember. The origins of these sources back this up also. Source C is from ‘The Freemans journal’ which shows liberal-minded people are willing to accept and recognize the action taken by the Irish Nationalists. Source D is a poster produced in the United States possibly by Irish who emigrated there during the Famine. Once again, this memorial is a sign of recognition and awareness across seas, and also that there are supporters of the cause elsewhere. However this may show Source D to over glorify the event due to the fact it was made in a place where they may not be fully aware of the ramifications of the Fenian’s more radical actions. This is where the two sources can be said to disagree. Where the two sources both sympathise with the event, source C treats the event as alarming which can show there may be risks to the Fenian’s actions, rather than benefits. In contrast, Source D treats them as heroes who sacrificed themselves for a good cause and may be somewhat biased due to the fact they may have moved to America during the famine and have a particular dislike for the British. Furthermore, both Sources were published in 1867 very soon after the events of bombings in Clerkenwell and The Manchester Martyrs. This means they could both lack knowledge on the consequences of the Fenian actions taken, but still maintains slightly different views on these events. While Source D glorifies the radicals, Source C is more warning. The purpose of both sources also differs. Source D is made to heighten awareness, pay respect and perhaps persuade others to feel sympathy and join the cause. On the other hand Source C recognizes the event and calls is a ‘clever and daring manoeuvre’ but also warns of the fact this is going beyond Irish grounds and into ‘one of the great centres of Britain’ and people should be alarmed at their determination, possibly even fearful. Sources C and D do agree on their view on Fenians to an extent as they both recognize an achievement, however, one must take into account that while Source D was made as a poster to pay respect to those who sacrificed themselves to the Fenian cause, Source C is a newspaper that is made to inform people of a possible threat to their country. Therefore they are bound to disagree in their view on a radical group as revolutionaries can be dangerous. Source D and Source E can be said to agree to a small extent, as once again, they both hint at sympathy for the Irish Nationalists’ cause. However, Source E is a letter from Karl Marx and expresses a private opinion. Here, he expresses the view that ‘This latest Fenian exploit in Clerkenwell is a great folly. ’ The bombing of Clerkenwell did have ramifications as it may have made the British play into the anti-Irish government’s hands, just as Marx states. This disagrees with Source D as it expresses disdain for the actions of the Fenians, where as Source D encourages and respects it. However this could be due to the fact they are referring to two different Fenian-involved events, despite being written in the same year as both. Marx also says ‘Secret, melodramatic conspiracies of this kind are, in general, doomed to fail. ’ This also indicates that he believes the actions of the Fenian’s are worthless as they are setting themselves back rather than doing anything to further their aims or win the support of the rest of Britain. This is quite opposite to Source D’s view that the Fenian effort is something to be respected and the poster seems to be almost made as a holy depiction of them. The origins and purpose of these Sources also clash as the letter from Marx is something he intended only Friedrich Engels to see as an informative, possibly warning letter. The poster can be viewed by all. Karl Marx was a highly respected and well-educated man and so his letter can be seen as something worthy of listening to. However, on the other hand despite his influence, he was not directly involved in Ireland and may not have had all the relevant information. However, Source D, having been made in memory of those devoted to the Fenian cause, can also be seen as reliable due to the fact that to have commemorated them would mean they were informed and supported Irish Nationalism to a great extent. In conclusion, Source E supports Source Ds view of Fenians as it sympathises with the aims of the Irish Nationalists. However Marx’ private letter is a far more critical way of looking at the events in 1867, therefore it only agrees with Source D to a small extent. Overall, Sources C and E can be said to support Source Ds view on Fenians to an extent as all of them recognize the event as significant. However both Sources C and E can be said to be more of a warning than Source D, as well as a critical view on Fenians. Source D pays respect to three Fenian martyrs, where as Source C and E reflect on the issue. In this respect they are all very different, yet all sympathise with the Irish cause. They were all written very soon after the events, within the same year and so they may all consider the year 1867 as important for the Fenian cause. Therefore Sources C and E support some aspects of the view on Fenians demonstrated in Source D, but Source D has the confounding factor that it was created by supporters of Fenians, where as Source C must remain partly neutral due to the fact it is a liberal newspaper, and Karl Marx was not directly involved in any events as well as the fact that his letter was aimed for only one person to read.