The War Of Independence 1919-1921 Flashcards
When did the War of Independece
The War of Indepence began on 21 January 1919 (the very same day that the First Dáil met.
Why did the War of Indepence began
A Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) patrol was ambushed in Soloheadbeg in Co. Tipperary. Two RIC constables were killed by the group of volunteers, led by Dan Breen and Séan Treacy. The ambush was not authorised by the Dáil.
The Irish Volunteers became known as the Irish Republican Army (IRA)
The Methods of the IRA
- Guerrilla warfare
- Michael Collins, as Director of Intelligence, organised an intelligence network of spies to gather information. He formed a Dublin group called the Squad, they were assassin whose job was to kill spies and British detectives, they received a salary
- The flying columns were set up as numbers in the IRA increased. They took part is large-scale ambushes, raided local police stations for arms and helped organise the IRA in rural areas
The Methods of the British
- They formed the Black and Tans, they were made up of ex-british soilders and named for the colours of their uniforms.
- Later ex-army officers were recruited to help. They were known as the Auxiliaries and were ruthless.
The British police force and army had grown to 40,000, compared to the IRA’s 10,000
Bloody Sunday
On 21 November 1920, Collins’s Squad killed 13 British intelligence agents in the dawn hours. In retaliation the Auxiliaries entered Croke Park during a GAA game. They killed 12 people.
The End of the War of Independece
Both rhe British and the Irish government recognised the peace was needed. The war was costing Britian £20 million a year, and the Irish were running out of arms and ammunition.
When de Valera returned from America he agreed to a truce with Lloyd George. The truce began on 11 July 1921
Guerrila Warfare
A tactic involving ambushes and hit-and-run methods
Repeisal
An act of retaliation against local people in revenge for attacks on British organisations.
