Ireland’s War of Independence
INTRODUCTION:
This general summary of Irish events, from a century ago, is written in the hope of making the War of Independence clearer for everyone. Consequently, I based the lessons around acquiring the bigger picture and working with evidence with a strong focus on literacy and assessment. As all subjects, apart from English, Irish and Maths, are a common level under the new junior cycle course, this content is designed to suit all levels of learners and learning styles.
SIMPLIFIED SYNOPSIS:
Ireland lost its parliament under the Act of Union in 1800. The Third Home Rule, meaning partial political independence on a local level was about to be introduced when World War 1 broke out in 1914. It was then suspended. A minority of Irishmen, the IRB, saw Britain’s difficulty fighting in The Great War as Ireland’s opportunity. The 1916 Easter Rising ensued. When General Maxwell executed the Irish rebels, he made them heroic martyrs. Sympathising public opinion hardened nationalistic political views to more separatist republican. Sinn Fein, incorrectly associated with the rising, won the 1919 general election. Those elected refused to sit in Westminster. Instead, the first Dáil met in Dublin in 1919. However, the British maintained control in Ireland through their police force, The Royal Irish Constabulary, or RIC. These Irish men, began to be targeted by the IRA.Two RIC Irishmen were shot by the
IRA in Soloheadbeg, Co. Tipperary. This marks the beginning of the War of Independence. Michael Collins with his group of assassins, known as The Squad, used guerilla warfare tactics - fighting undercover, to kill those working with the British in Ireland. The British responded by sending the Black and Tans and the Auxiliaries to fight the rebellious Irish. The Anglo-Irish Treaty in 1921 gave the Irish Free State more freedom as a dominion state with certain conditions. Some saw this as the chance to achieve freedom while others disagreed with the 26-county deal. This led to a civil war in Ireland.