The war of independence Flashcards
How did the war of independence start?
On the same day that the first Dáil met (21st January 1919), a RIC was ambushed in Soloheadbeg, Tipperary. This was carried out by a local IRA unit lead by Dan Breen and Seán Treacy. They attacked police who were guarding a supply of gelignite going to a nearby quarry. Two policemen were shot dead. These were the first shots of the War of Independence.
What were Guerrilla war tactics? Who was the IRA’s main target?
The IRA used Guerrilla war tactics against the British government forces. These were ambush, or hit and run tactics. The IRAs main target was the RIC. They attacked isolated barracks in the countryside to get arms and ammunition.
What was the role of Michael Collins?
Collins operated an intelligence network. He used the information gathered to direct operations by the IRA. he also organised a special group in Dublin called the squad. Their job was to kill spies and detectives.
How did the British government respond to the IRA targeting the RIC?
The prime minister, David Lloyd George recruited ex-soldiers in Britain to overcome a shortage of recruits in the RIC. They were known as the black and tans because they wore a mixed army and RIC uniform.
They also introduced the government of Ireland act 1920. Under the act, two parliaments were to be set up, one in Dublin and one in Belfast. Sinn féin rejected this act.
Who dominated the political system in NI?
What was the orange order?
The unionist party, led by James B. Craig as Prime minister dominated the political system. It won all elections with clear majorities. The party had close links with the orange order, which organised parades and marches to maintain unionist domination.
Why were unionists opposed to a united Ireland?
Unionists believed that Catholics wanted to destroy NI.
They were opposed to it because they feared they would be discriminated against in a nationalist dominated country.
They felt that the NI economy would suffer more by being cut off from the British market.
What was the royal ulster constabulary?
The royal ulster constabulary (RUC) was formed in 1922 as an armed police force. It was helped by the B-specials who were a part-time police force.
They could use the special powers act (1922) to arrest and imprison anyone. Nationalists felt that the B-specials and the special powers act were used to keep them down.
Who suffered more during the sectarian riots?
In the sectarian riots in the early 1920s between protestants and catholics, Catholics suffered more than protestants.
More Catholics were killed.
Thousands of Catholics lost their jobs. They were driven out of the Harland and Wolff shipyards being an example of this.
catholic houses and businesses were burned.
What were some of the major events of the war of independence?
Ambush at Kilmichael.
Ambush at Crossbarry
IRA attack on the custom-house, Dublin; over 80 IRA captured.
Terence MacSwiney, lord mayor of Cork, died on a hunger strike in Brixton Prison, London, after 74 days.
Members of the RIC murdered Tomás MacCurtain, lord major of cork, in front of his family.
Bloody Sunday- Collin’s Squad killed 11 British agents sent specially to catch him. Black and Tans shot into Croke Park during a football match, killing 12 people.
How many people had been killed in NI over a period of two years after the civil war broke out?
The outbreak of the civil war in the south ended in violence. Over a period of two years from 1920 to 1922, 557 people had been killed in NI- almost 60% of these were Catholics.
Why did people want peace?
By 1921, both sides wanted peace.
The IRA was running short of men and ammunition.
The people wanted peace.
The British government was being criticised at home and in America for the actions of the black and tans and the auxiliaries.
The war was costing the government a great deal of money.
How did the ceasefire happen during the war of independence?
What negotiations happened after the truce?
De Valera returned from America where he had been during most of the war of independence. he agreed on the terms of a ceasefire with Lloyd George. The ceasefire came into operation on 11th July 1921.
After the truce, the British government and Sinn féin began negotiations. The Sinn féin government selected a delegation to represent them at the talks in London.
Who was chosen as a delegation to represent Sinn Féin and Britain? Who and why was a certain person not one of these?
The delegates were Arthur Griffith, Michael Collins, Robert Barton, Eamonn Duggan and George Gavan Duffy. De Valera refused to go because he was head of state and he wanted to control extremists at home.
Lloyd George headed the British delegation. He was assisted by Winston Churchill, Austin Chamberlain and Lord Birkenhead.
What were Sinn Féin’s and Britain’s goals?
Sinn Féin had two main goals in the negotiations:
To achieve a republic.
To have no border, or partition, between the north and south of Ireland.
The main British aim was:
To keep Ireland within the British Empire.
What was the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921? What were its terms? (6)
From October to December, the two delegations negotiated in London. This treaty was finally signed on the 6th of December 1921.
The terms of it were:
1. Ireland would not be known as the Irish free state.
2. Ireland would still be a dominion (part of) the British commonwealth.
3. The king of England would be represented in Ireland by a governor-general.
4. Members of the dáil and senate would take an oath of allegiance to the Irish government and the king of England.
5. Britain would have the use of three ports (berehaven, Cobh and lough Swilly).
6. A boundary commission would be established to decide on the border between the north and south of Ireland.
