Issue 4 Essay : Reasons for the Outbreak for the Irish Civil War

Question 1

Historical Context 1

Answer 1

The Anglo-Irish Treaty was to bring an end to the Irish War of Independence
-caused violence throughout the country.

Question 2

Historical Context 2

Answer 2

saw the handover of power from the British to the new Irish Free State,
-partition introduced
-caused a split between the Republican movement.

Question 3

What are the Factors

Answer 3

Anglo-Irish Treaty,
Role of the British government,
Divide in the republican movement,
the role of De Valera
the role of Michael Collins.

Question 4

Anglo-Irish Treaty Knowledge

Answer 4

Ireland = free state
-still a part of the empire

partition established
-6 in north, 26 south
-Catholic Ulster wanted to join south

Question 5

Anglo-Irish Treaty analysis

Answer 5

Many in Ireland resented being a part of the empire and being divided by partition
-Many voted for SF and Indep. but treaty did not meet desire

Question 6

Anglo-Irish Treaty Analysis +

Answer 6

British Forced treaty on Liam Neeson, rep. ireland
-Divide is a result of British forcing terms on Ireland

De Valera and Collins led to outbreak of war

Question 7

Role of British Government Knowledge

Answer 7

Treaty proposed by Britain saw Dominion Status
-elected rep. of parliament had to swear allegiance to the king
-crown represented by gov.gen

Garrison withdrawn
RIC disbanded

Question 8

Role of British Government Analysis

Answer 8

Dominion status and oath of allegiance clear attempt by British to divide Republicans
-catalyst for conflict

Question 9

Role of British Government Analysis +

Answer 9

Many felt that this was the best deal that could be negotiated from the British government
-Freedom to achieve the Republic” and a “Stepping stone for Independance

Question 10

Divide in the Republican Movement Knowledge

Answer 10

Treaty Hotly debated in Dial
-Collins and much IRA supported
-DeValera said oppose even if it caused civil war

The Treaty was accepted by 64 votes to 57 by the Dáil Eíreann on 7th January 1922.

Question 11

Divide in the Republican Movement Analysis

Answer 11

result of split
-Collins pro, De Valera anti,

De Valera tried to compromise to avoid war
-no compromise was reached

Question 12

Divide in the Republican Movement Analysis +

Answer 12

pro-treaty supporters outnumbered the anti-treaty supporters, thus suggesting the issue wasn’t overly polarising.

Question 13

MC Knowledge

Answer 13

Collins negotiated the Treaty with Churchill, Chamberlin and Lloyd George,
-pressured to sign it under a threat of escalation of the conflict.

Collins defended the Treaty as he claimed it gave Ireland ‘freedom to achieve freedom’.

Question 14

MC Analysis

Answer 14

some argue that Collins negotiated a Treaty which he knew would have been rejected by many in the republican movement

-actions sparked civil war

Question 15

MC analysis +

Answer 15

British government had forced Collins to sign the terms by threatening immediate war with Ireland if the terms were not agreed it was not Collins fault.

Question 16

DV Knowledge

Answer 16

refused to accept terms of treaty
-violent conflict with the wishes of the majority of the nation’
-treaty meant partition and abandonment of sovereignty

Argues he should have been consulted before Treaty was signed
-resigned as President to be replaced by Griffith and Collins who became Head of the Irish Free Government.

Question 17

DV analysis

Answer 17

delivered a series of speeches that openly endorsed and advocated for the violence against the pro-Treaty campaign.
-encouraged civil war to unite instead of helping collins

Question 18

DV analysis +

Answer 18

De Valera hadn’t been entirely closed to a deal with Britain he had sent the delegation over to Britain to negotiate
- he was not a firm Republican as he claimed to be
-Anglo-Irish treaty that had spurned De Valera onto becoming more violent/aggressive in his politics