Reasons for the Truce: IRA Strength

Question 1

Kevin O’Higgins assistant minister for local government in the Dail

Answer 1

“there would be no question military victory” by the IRA if the war continued

Question 2

English on the strength of the IRA

Answer 2

“considerable success in thwarting British rule”

“could not simply be defeated”

Question 3

Guerilla Tactics by the IRA

Answer 3

Flying Columns proved to be exceptionally effective, whereby local units of men ambushed British soldiers, inflicted damage and disappeared into the countryside.

Question 4

Hart on the future of the IRA

Answer 4

> “Here lay the real future of Guerilla warfare in Ireland” on the Youghal bombing that left 29 dead in summer 1921.
If bombings were the future of the IRA then the only quick and peaceful solution was to negotiate

Question 5

Townshend on the IRA

Answer 5

> “by matching its operations to its means, it could ensure its survival” long enough to win psychologically instead of militarily.
MacCready wanted to rotate out his men by October so as to give them a break; the war was fatiguing them.