James Connolly was an Irish socialist leader who worked for the rights of workers in several industries in Ireland and also agitated for Irish independence that has given him the unique position in history as the first real Irish political force of modern times. Although Connolly grew up in Edinburgh, Scotland as an Irish immigrant he never let go of his identity and during his stint in the British Army he became acquainted with the issues in Ireland. Connolly decided to quit the Army and devoted his life to socialist politics, first in Edinburgh and later in Dublin. He also had a stint in the United States in the early part of the 20th century and helped in establishing a socialist political body in a country that did not have a strong tradition of socialist politics. Connolly went from one cause to the next throughout his life and is regarded as one of the most influential Irishmen of his generation. In fact, following his time in socialist activism and politics, he became a part of the Irish independent movement that often turned violent. Connolly became a key member of that movement and that was what that finally led to his incarceration.