Theme 7: Sinn Fein & Anglo-Irish War

Question 1

After the Easter Rising who did the PM (Asquith) send to try and resolve the Irish question between Unionists and Nationalists? How did they try?

Answer 1

Lloyd George set up a meeting between them to try and understand each others perspectives

Question 2

What was the result of the 1916 meeting between nationalists and unionists?

Answer 2

IPP came to terms with the fact that Home Rule would only be a possibility if the accepted the temporary exclusion of Ulster 6 counties. However the unionists denied and so it was overall a failure

Question 3

What events would unexpectedly mark the beginning of the Sinn Fein party in 1917?

Answer 3

A series of victories in by-elections in 1917 for candidates who represented separatist attitudes for Ireland

Question 4

Who was the most notable/important person that won his 1917 by election?

Answer 4

Eamon De Valera

Question 5

What was the problem for the newly elected MP’s in terms of political representation?

Answer 5

They did not have a party to represent them

Question 6

What events would act as a trigger for the emergence of a separatist movement?

Answer 6

• Return of Irish volunteers from British internment gained public sympathy, were also powerful and supported separatism
• Sinn Fein began to support more separatist candidates in by elections which resulted in expansion of politicians in favour of it
• 10th Sinn Fein Ard Fheis elected De Valera as president separatism was now specifically affiliated with one party

Question 7

What two events regarding WW1 resulted in increased sympathy and support for Sinn Fein?

Answer 7

• British governments attempted introduction of conscription
• German Plot

Question 8

How many seats did Sinn Fein and the IPP win in the 1918 election?

Answer 8

SF: 73
IPP: 6

Question 9

What did Sinn Fein MPs do after the 1918 election?

Answer 9

Refused to take up their seat in HofC and instead created the Dáil (Unofficial by this point, Irish government)

Question 10

What was the British reaction to the creation of the Dáil?

Answer 10

Sent in troops to try and regain power and temporarily impose Martial law

Question 11

What subsequently broke out between the Irish and British after the British sent in troops?

Answer 11

Anglo-Irish War

Question 12

How long did the Anglo-Irish war last?

Answer 12

1918-1921

Question 13

What sort of tactics did the Irish use?

Answer 13

Guerrilla

Question 14

How many Irish nationalists were killed in the war?

Answer 14

550

Question 15

Which organisation carried out most of the fighting on the Irish side and who lead them?

Answer 15

IRB Michael Collins

Question 16

How many deaths did the British and Irish unionists suffer?

Answer 16

1600

Question 17

What was the British government forced to introduce after it realised it was not going to win? When did it come into action?

Answer 17

Government of Ireland Act 1920

June 1921

Question 18

What did the Government of Ireland Act do?

Answer 18

Established Home Rule for Southern and Northern Ireland separately

Question 19

Which party received a vast amount of support after the Easter Rising?

Answer 19

Sinn Fein

Question 20

At the Buckingham Palace conference, what did Redmond suggest that should happen to the Ulster counties that Carson sternly disagreed with?

Answer 20

That the counties of ulster have a county by county vote to possibly opt out of the home Rule Bill