Britain- Politics 1918-29, Ireland

Question 1

What events pre 1918 led to a rise in Irish nationalism and want for an establishment of the Irish Republic over Home Rule?

Answer 1

1. Conscription
2. Harsh treatment of rebels in Dublin uprising in 1916 (16 rebels were executed- remember the same number as the year!)

Question 2

What year did Sinn Fein set up their own Irish Government and how did the British Parliament react?

Answer 2

1918
British government viewed it as rebellion and took a hard-line policy to reinstate British rule

Question 3

What was formed as a result of the attempts to reinstate British rule over Ireland post 1918 (‘The Troubles’)? Who did they mainly fight?

Answer 3

1. The Irish Republican Army
2. The Royal Irish Constabulary- aided by the British Army

Question 4

What group was created to fight the IRA during the Troubles and why was this controversial?

Answer 4

The Black and Tans
They had less restraints on what they could do in reaction to shootings- i.e. they could be more agressive

Question 5

Why did DLG and the Liberals have to accept the hardline policy on Ireland post WW1?

Answer 5

DLG’s coalition government was heavily conservative by majority which meant that he had to concede on previous Liberal policies such as the support of Home Rule.

Question 6

What effect did the Troubles have on Britain’s international relations?

Answer 6

It damaged Britain’s international reputation- seen as archaic and repressive

Question 7

What did DLG do first to try and resolve the conflict in Ireland?

Answer 7

Gave Ulster a form of Home rule in 1920
Government of Ireland Act 1920

Question 8

What was created as a result of the 1920 Government of Ireland Act

Answer 8

The B-specials in Northern Ireland (formed out of the Ulster volunteer force)- 40,000 people

Question 9

What did the coalition government offer to southern Ireland that divided the nationalists and when?

Answer 9

December 1921- Treaty of London
Offered that Ireland could be a free-state within the empire

• Still ruled by the monarch
• Not too different to Home Rule granted in 1914

Question 10

How were the Irish Nationalists split by the Treaty of London (December 1921)

Answer 10

1. Many felt that it wasn’t enough for the movement- i.e. they had already sacrificed so much (led by Eamon de Valera)
2. Some nationalists felt satisfied with the treaty for example Michael Collins who was a leading and renowned militant figure (he was later assaasinated in 1923 as a result of signing this treaty)

Question 11

When did the war between Britain and the Irish Republicans end and why? What happened as a result?

Answer 11

December 1921- Treaty of London
Caused internal conflict in Ireland over whether to accept or reject the treaty from 1921-23

Question 12

In what ways was Lloyd-George successful with his policy over Ireland?

Answer 12

1. He got the conservatives to accept a form of Home Rule that they had been against
2. He caused the problem to ‘dissapear’- however he didn’t solve them at all (short term impact)

Question 13

Who was Eamon de Valera

Answer 13

• Strong Irish Republican
• Dissatisfied with the 1921 Treaty of London
• Played a large part in organising the Easter Uprising in 1916 and was spared from execution due to his US citizenship
• Was president of the ‘illegal’ Irish Parliament