Theme 8: Partition, Free State & Civil War Flashcards
When was the Government of Ireland Act?
June 1920
What did the Government of Ireland act do?
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
How many counties were there in the Northern Ireland Parliament?
6 counties
How many counties were there in the Southern Ireland parliament?
26 counties
Who was elected in 1921 election to the presidency of S.Ireland?
James Craig
What were James Craig’s objectives in the short term?
To ensure that there new state was securely protected from attack
What did James Craig create in order to serve their security interests?
Ulster Special Constabulary
What was the significance of the Government of Ireland Act?
It was TEMPORARY
What was called in-between the Government of Ireland Act and Anflo-Irish Treaty to try and resolve the issue of Ulster?
Two London conferences
What happened in the first London conference?
Nothing. It was a complete failure. Sinn Fein, Unionists and the British were unable to come to an agreement
What was unique about the second round of London talks?
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
Who lead the talks for Sinn Fein at the second round of conferences?
Michael Collins and Arthur Griffith
Name 3 of the political heavyweights leading the British delegation in the second London Conference?
Lloyd George, Winston Churchill, Lord Birkenhead
What happened in WW1 that allowed the talks over partition to begin?
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
Why did De Valera specifically send Collins to the conference?
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
What was the specific title that De Valera wanted for Ireland ?
Irish Republic within the British Commonwealth
What did the British delegation in the second round of London talks wear down the Sinn Fein representatives down to?
Free partnership with the other states associated within the British commonwealth
Following the Irish delegation travelling back to the Dáil what were De Valera’s new instructions?
1) External Association
2) Reject oath of allegiance to British crown
3) Not to sign anything without confirmation from Dáil
What were the eventual agreements of the Anglo-Irish treaty?
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
Why was Collins forced to accept the negotiated treaty at the second London conference?
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
What initial instructions did De Valera give the Sinn Fein team for the second round of London talks?
1) External Association of Ireland
2) Decision was not to be made without the approval of the Dáil (this was impractical)
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?
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.
Following the opposition to the treaty what was the response of some and what did this produce?
They began to attack parts of Dublin and Sinn Fein had to respond thereby producing the civil war
What was the names of the division in the IRB that carried out terrorism?
Irregulars
Why was it difficult for Collins to retaliate?
He was fighting some who had fought alongside him in the Anglo Irish war
What was the eventual result of the civil war?
5000 deaths, most importantly Collins was ambushed and killed
