Theme 8: Partition, Free State & Civil War

Question 1

When was the Government of Ireland Act?

Answer 1

June 1920

Question 2

What did the Government of Ireland act do?

Answer 2

Set up a temporary solution to the problem of Home Rule by creating a government in south and also north of Ireland. This allowed negotiations between the two to take place rather than conflict

Question 3

How many counties were there in the Northern Ireland Parliament?

Answer 3

6 counties

Question 4

How many counties were there in the Southern Ireland parliament?

Answer 4

26 counties

Question 5

Who was elected in 1921 election to the presidency of S.Ireland?

Answer 5

James Craig

Question 6

What were James Craig’s objectives in the short term?

Answer 6

To ensure that there new state was securely protected from attack

Question 7

What did James Craig create in order to serve their security interests?

Answer 7

Ulster Special Constabulary

Question 8

What was the significance of the Government of Ireland Act?

Answer 8

It was TEMPORARY

Question 9

What was called in-between the Government of Ireland Act and Anflo-Irish Treaty to try and resolve the issue of Ulster?

Answer 9

Two London conferences

Question 10

What happened in the first London conference?

Answer 10

Nothing. It was a complete failure. Sinn Fein, Unionists and the British were unable to come to an agreement

Question 11

What was unique about the second round of London talks?

Answer 11

Eamon De Valera refused to go, apparently because he feared the British might trick him, but most likely because he wanted to make sure that if anything unsatisfactory was agreed it wasn’t on his head

Question 12

Who lead the talks for Sinn Fein at the second round of conferences?

Answer 12

Michael Collins and Arthur Griffith

Question 13

Name 3 of the political heavyweights leading the British delegation in the second London Conference?

Answer 13

Lloyd George, Winston Churchill, Lord Birkenhead

Question 14

What happened in WW1 that allowed the talks over partition to begin?

Answer 14

In e Irish Convention Southern Unionists came to terms with the fact of accepting self government. This meant that it was just the Northern unionists that maintained this belief against it. This meant that there was a clear line between those for and against and so partition could become arranged

Question 15

Why did De Valera specifically send Collins to the conference?

Answer 15

Because he was challenging him for the leadership for the party, so if anything went wrong he could blame him and subsequently the challenge would dissipate

Question 16

What was the specific title that De Valera wanted for Ireland ?

Answer 16

Irish Republic within the British Commonwealth

Question 17

What did the British delegation in the second round of London talks wear down the Sinn Fein representatives down to?

Answer 17

Free partnership with the other states associated within the British commonwealth

Question 18

Following the Irish delegation travelling back to the Dáil what were De Valera’s new instructions?

Answer 18

1) External Association
2) Reject oath of allegiance to British crown
3) Not to sign anything without confirmation from Dáil

Question 19

What were the eventual agreements of the Anglo-Irish treaty?

Answer 19

1) Irish free state
2) Oath of allegiance to British Crown (Against what de Valera had instructed)
3) Norther Ireland could have a county opt out one month later

Question 20

Why was Collins forced to accept the negotiated treaty at the second London conference?

Answer 20

Because he knew otherwise war would break out and, being leader of the IRB he knew they were not in a shape to fight another war following the Anglo Irish war

Question 21

What initial instructions did De Valera give the Sinn Fein team for the second round of London talks?

Answer 21

1) External Association of Ireland

2) Decision was not to be made without the approval of the Dáil (this was impractical)

Question 22

Knowing that the treaty was not what was initially intended, when the delegation traveled back to the Dáil what was the response and what happened as a result?

Answer 22

There was opposition from de Valera, however after fierce debate it was voted and 64-59 voted in favour. De Valera called a vote of confidence which he lost.

Question 23

Following the opposition to the treaty what was the response of some and what did this produce?

Answer 23

They began to attack parts of Dublin and Sinn Fein had to respond thereby producing the civil war

Question 24

What was the names of the division in the IRB that carried out terrorism?

Answer 24

Irregulars

Question 25

Why was it difficult for Collins to retaliate?

Answer 25

He was fighting some who had fought alongside him in the Anglo Irish war

Question 26

What was the eventual result of the civil war?

Answer 26

5000 deaths, most importantly Collins was ambushed and killed