Case Study: The Anglo-Irish Treaty

A Brief Overview

Causes

1. Irish War of Independence: The Anglo-Irish Treaty was a result of the Irish War of Independence (1919-1921), where the Irish Republican Army (IRA) fought for Irish independence from British rule.
2. Desire for Peace: After two years of conflict, both the British government and Irish nationalists wanted to find a peaceful solution.
3. Political Pressure: International opinion and political pressure within Britain were moving towards a compromise on the Irish question.

---

Course

1. Negotiations: Negotiations took place in London between October and December 1921, involving representatives from the British government and the Irish Republic.
2. Key Figures: Key negotiators included Michael Collins and Arthur Griffith for the Irish side and David Lloyd George and Winston Churchill for the British side.
3. Terms: The Treaty established the Irish Free State as a self-governing dominion within the British Commonwealth. However, Northern Ireland could choose to opt-out and remain part of the United Kingdom, which it did.

---

Terms of the Treaty

1. Irish Free State was established as a self-governing dominion within the British Commonwealth, similar to Canada.
2. Members of the Irish parliament had to swear an oath of allegiance to the British monarch.
3. Northern Ireland could opt out of the Free State and remain part of the United Kingdom (which it did immediately).
4. Britain kept control of three Treaty Ports – Berehaven, Cobh (Queenstown), and Lough Swilly – for use by the Royal Navy.
5. The Irish Free State would have its own army, but it would be limited in size.
6. The Governor-General would act as the King's representative in the Free State.
7. The Irish Free State agreed to pay a share of the UK's national debt.
8. The boundary commission would decide the exact border between the Free State and Northern Ireland.

Consequences

1. End of the War of Independence: The Treaty officially ended the Irish War of Independence, marking a significant step towards Irish self-rule.
2. Partition of Ireland: The Treaty led to the partition of Ireland into Northern Ireland (remaining part of the UK) and the Irish Free State. This partition caused deep divisions and would later lead to further conflict.
3. Civil War: The Treaty was controversial and caused a split in the nationalist movement, leading to the Irish Civil War (1922-1923) between pro-Treaty and anti-Treaty forces.
4. Establishment of the Irish Free State: The Irish Free State, a constitutional monarchy with the British monarch as head of state, was established. In 1937, it became a fully sovereign state, known as Ireland or Éire, and in 1949, it declared itself a republic.
5. Legacy: The Treaty's legacy is complex. While it marked a significant step towards Irish independence, its terms - particularly the partition of Ireland and the oath of allegiance to the British Crown - were sources of political division and conflict for decades.

---