Political Developments In Twentieth Century- The Treaty/ New Government Flashcards
What was the anglo irish treaty
After truce agreement had to be reached
Agreement was to be reached under government of Ireland act which divided Ireland into north and south
What did the Irish delegation aim to negotiate for the treaty
To set up a republic to be completely independent from britain
End partition of northern Ireland
What did the british delegation aim to negotiate for the treaty
They wanted Ireland to stay in the British commonwealth
To protect state of the north rather than risk unionists violence
Explain British commonwealth
Association of countries including the UK and its colonies
What were the terms of the treaty
Ireland would be a free state
Would be part of the British commonwealth
British would have naval ports in ireland
Governor general would represent king in free state
Boundary commission set up, discuss northern partition
Who signed the treaty and why
Michael collins signed with other Irish delegates
He knew IRA could not afford another war
Fekt he had no choice
What was the government in irelands reaction to the treaty and what were the results of the vote in the dáil
Split the country down the middle against and for the treaty
De Valera was annoyed collins and griffith signed without permission
Dáil voted on the treaty and more were for the treaty
Those against the treaty left the dáil
What were the arguments for and against the treaty
In favour:
Gave Ireland more independence than home rule
Stepping stone to greater independence
IRA would have been beaten in another war, best they could’ve got
Against:
Didn’t give a republic
Republicans could not swear an oath to the king
Close to Britain so it would be easy to get involved in irish affairs
What were the causes of the civil war
- Treaty caused division in the country
- British army pulled out of their barracks and immediately they were taken over by pro treaty and anti treaty sides
- The irregulars took over four courts
- General election came out pro treaty
- Election and capture of one of his generals gave collins an excuse to attack four courts
What were the pro and anti treaty armies known as during the civil war
Pro treaty IRA- Free state army
Anti Treaty army- Republicans/ Irregulars
How did collins attack the irregulars in the four courts
Collins used British artillery to fire on the four courts
This started the civil war
After two days the irregulars surrendered and in a week irregulars were defeated in dublin
Explain the special powers act
Allowed the free state government to arrest irregulars for offences such as having a gun
When was the ceasefire of the civil war
1923
What were the results of the civil war
A Lot of damage was caused to towns, transport, economy
Almost 600 people killed
Nation was left divided and bitter
Major political parties formed, cumman na nGaedhael(pro treaty), Fianna fáil (anti treaty)
Explain dominion status
A self governing state within the British commonwealth where the king was head of state
What challenges did Cumman na gaedhael face after they won the civil war
Economy was in ruins
Bitterness in the country
Large minority of anti treaty did not recognise free state and threatned its existence
Explain the main points in the constitution
Two houses of parliament, The Dáil, Seanad éireann
Dáil members had to swear oath of allegiance to the king
Governor general was kings representitive
Women could vote like men
Explain constitution
Rules by which a country is governed
Explain Public Safety acts
These enabled the government to imprison IRA member which ended this threat
Introduced in 1923-1924
Who was the minister for home affairs(justice)
Kevin o higgins
What and why was the garda síochána set up
They were a well trained force which were unarmed created to restore law and order to the country
Explain the work of the ACC (Agricultural Credit Corporation)
Provided loans to farmers to modernise methods
Not many used loans
Low tax meant low costs for farmers
Sold a lot of agricultural products to Britain
Explain the shannon scheme
Problem facing inductry was lack of cheap energy source
Hydroelectric power station built at the shannon
Provided cheap electricity distributed by ESB
Explain boundary commission
Set up to decide the border between northern Ireland and free state ireland. Consisted of Eoin mac neill(free state), J.R Fisher(Northern Ireland) and an independent chairman