The Irish Civil War 1922-1923

Question 1

The results of the Anglo Irish Treaty

Answer 1

Public opinion on the Anglo-Irish Treaty was divided. The Dáil debated the Treaty from December 1921 until January 1922, splitting into pro- and anti-Treaty sides.

Question 2

The Pro- Treaty Side arguments

Answer 2

1. They could not fund a war against Britian any longer
2. It could be a stepping stone to full independence.
3. The Treaty was an improvement on Home Rule
4. The Treaty guaranteed immediate peace with Britian

It included: Arthur Griffith, Michael Collins and W.T Cosgrave

Question 3

The Anti- Treaty Side Arguments

Answer 3

1. They had not achieved the republic that they had fought for and died for.
2. They should have achieved better terms.
3. Irish TD’s should have to swear an oath of allegiance to the Crown
4. The Treaty left Ireland partitioned

Question 4

The Treaty Debate

Answer 4

It ended on 7th January 1922, with Anglo-Irish Treaty being accepted. Arthur Griffith was elected president of his Dáil when De Valera left.

Question 5

Regulars

Answer 5

IRA supporters of the Treaty

Question 6

Irregulars

Answer 6

IRA members who were against the Treaty

Question 7

The fighting begins

Answer 7

On 28 June 1922, Collins began to attack the Four Courts that were occupied by the Irregulars led by Rory O’Connor.
The Civil War had officially begun.
Within two days, the irregulars had surrendered. 64 people died, including Cathal Brugha. De Valera supported the anit-Treaty side of the IRA.

Question 8

The Irregulars retreating

Answer 8

The Irregulars retreated to Munster, where they had a lot of support, they used guerrilla warfare tactics against the Free State Army. A recruitment drive meant that the Free State Army grew to 60,000, greatly outnumbering the Irregulars. The Free State Army took over Cork on 12 August. The irregulars retreated to the countryside.

Question 9

The End of the Civil War

Answer 9

On 12 August 1922, Arthur Griffith died of a brain haemorrhage at just 51 years of age. He had founded Sinn Féin. On 22 August Collins was killed in an ambush. His funeral was a huge public event, with up to half a million attendees. Many people believed that the bloodshe needed to end.

Question 10

Special Powers Act

Answer 10

The Free State government allowed its forces to arrest, try and imprison IRA members for a number of offences and even exectue them. F

Question 11

The Civil War ceasefire

Answer 11

De Valera and the new Chief-of-Staff of the Irregulars, Frank Aiken, persuaded members of the IRA to agree to a ceasefire on 24 May 1923.

Question 12

The Legacy of the Civil War

Answer 12

1500 people were killed
€38 million of damage to property
The border between north and south was left unchanged, displeasing many.
The Pro-Treaty side became Fine Gael
The anti-Treaty side became Sinn Féin.

Question 13

Partition

Answer 13

The seperation of the north and south of Ireland into two different states

Question 14

Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC)

Answer 14

A police force was formed, mainly of Protestants.

Question 15

Sectarianism

Answer 15

Is conflict and hatred based on a religious divide

Question 16

Gerrymandering

Answer 16

The rearrangement of voting districts to benefit one political party.

This resulted in discrimination against nationalists in regard to housing, jobs, schools, local facilities and more.

Question 17

Who became the president of the Dáil after Michael Collins died

Answer 17

W.T Cosgrave became president of the Dáil