republican
and socialist leader. He was born in the Cowgate
area of Edinburgh
, Scotland, to Irish immigrant parents and spoke with a Scottish accent throughout his life. He left school for working life at the age of 11, but became one of the leading Marxist theorists of his day. He also took a role in Scottish and American politics
. He was executed by a British
firing squad because of his leadership role in the Easter Rising
of 1916.
Connolly was born in an Irish slum in Edinburgh in 1868.
Yes, friends, governments in capitalist society are but committees of the rich to manage the affairs of the capitalist class.
'Those who live by the sword shall perish by the sword' say the Scriptures, and it may well be that in the progress of events the working class of Ireland may be called upon to face the stern necessity of taking the sword (or rifle) against the [English capitalist] class..."
Under a socialist system every nation will be the supreme arbiter of its own destinies, national and international; will be forced into no alliance against its will, but will have its independence guaranteed and its freedom respected by the enlightened self-interest of the socialist democracy of the world.
Such a scheme .. the betrayal of the national democracy of Industrial Ulster, would mean a carnival of reaction both North and South, would set back the wheels of progress, would destroy the oncoming unity of the Irish labour movement and paralyse all advanced movements while it lasted.
The cause of labour is the cause of Ireland, the cause of Ireland is the cause of labour.