Essay Prep - During 1912-1920, What Factors Contributed Most to Partition of Ireland

General Guidelines

1. When answering this question, keep your discussion to the period 1912-1920. The time frame is defined by two key events: the introduction of the Third Home Rule Bill (1912) and the enactment of the Government of Ireland Act (1920). Remember, you will likely only be graded for your writing on the events between 1912-20.
2. Focus on the key terms in the question: factors, contributed, and most. Identify the factors you believe were most relevant in leading to the partition of Ireland. Consider how these factors "contributed" to partition, recognising that this term asks you to explore the influence of events and personalities rather than simple causation. The word "most" requires you to justify your choice by discussing which factors played the most crucial role in bringing about the partition.
3. Avoid relying too heavily on narrative or descriptive accounts. Instead, aim to analyse and discuss how these factors interacted and why they were significant. Remember, analysis is key when it comes to improving your CM and OE marks!!
4. Given the broad time span of the question, a chronological approach is recommended, starting with 1912 and concluding in 1920.

Essay Structure Guide

• Paragraph 1 (Introduction): Begin with a brief overview outlining the growing divisions between unionists and nationalists from the late 19th century through the introduction of the Third Home Rule Bill. Highlight the lead-up to the Bill as a key moment that set the stage for future events.
• Paragraph 2: Focus on the Ulster Unionist reaction to the Third Home Rule Bill, emphasising the signing of the Ulster Solemn League and Covenant and the formation of the Ulster Volunteers. Discuss how Ulster's demands for special treatment and exclusion from Home Rule contributed to partition.
• Paragraph 3: Explore the increasing divisions between nationalists and unionists in the first half of 1914. Discuss how the political climate solidified by that time, with both John Redmond and Edward Carson acknowledging that Ulster would likely be excluded from any Home Rule settlement, significantly contributed to the partition.
• Paragraph 4: Analyse the continued failure to reach a compromise on which counties would constitute Ulster, particularly through events like the Buckingham Palace Conference. Address how this failure to agree on the boundaries of exclusion further deepened the divide, moving Ireland closer to partition.

• Paragraph 5: Examine the impact of war and rebellion from 1914 to 1918 on the partition of Ireland. Compare and contrast the Ulster Volunteers' and Irish Volunteers' experiences and attitudes during World War I and how the divisions between unionists and nationalists hardened after the 1916 Rising, driving the two communities further apart.
• Paragraph 6: Discuss the shift toward separation in Ireland between 1916 and 1918 as another key factor leading to partition. Focus on the rise of the restructured Sinn Féin, the failure of the Irish Convention, the results of the 1918 General Election, and the polarising effects of the War of Independence.

• Paragraph 7: Provide an overview of the Government of Ireland Act (1920), which officially enacted partition by establishing the state of Northern Ireland. Discuss the role of unionist influence in Westminster in bringing about this legislation and contrast it with Sinn Féin's policy of abstentionism, which left nationalist interests underrepresented in the British Parliament.
• Paragraph 8 (Conclusion): Summarise the main factors that contributed to the partition of Ireland between 1912 and 1920. Assess whether the seeds of partition were already present before this period and how the events from 1912 to 1920 solidified the division, making partition inevitable.