Connelly, were sentenced to death by firing squad. In addition, popular military leaders Michael Collins and Eamon DeValera were sentenced to prison, solidifying strong opposition to British control by a majority of the Irish people.While the Easter Rising was a short-term disaster for the Irish rebels it laid the groundwork for a movement that would lead to the formation of the Irish Free State in 1921. This was also the first of several steps that would lead cause the demise of the once mighty British Empire....
