The Irish Civil War

IrelandIreland is a small island to the west of

England.

In the late 17th century, Ireland was conquered by the English, along with Scotland and Wales.

This continued for more than 200 years.

Britain and Ireland

Easter UprisingDuring World War I, Britain was fighting

Germany on mainland EuropeOn Easter Sunday, April 24 1916, a

rebellion began in Dublin.Members of the Irish Republican Army

(IRA) stormed several important sights in the city of Dublin (Ireland’s capital) and declared the Irish Republic.

They were defeated in a week.

Irish War of Independence 1919-1921After the 1916 Easter Uprising, the

IRA started using guerilla tactics, such as bombings, to continue fighting. (called terrorism today…)

January 1919: The Irish Republic is declared

Eventually, in 1921, Britain agreed to create the Irish Free State with the formal agreement of the…

Anglo-Irish Treaty The Irish Free State would become

independent but still part of the British Empire (a dominion like Canada, Australia and South Africa)

Six of the 32 Irish counties in the north would remain part of the United Kingdom

WHY???Religion and Loyalty; many in the north

were Protestant and loyal to Britain. Most in the Free State were Catholic and wanted independence.

The Treaty Proposal

Irish Civil War 1922-1923Many Irish people did not accept the Anglo-

Irish Treaty, and soon fighting began between its supporters and opponents.

This war was fought all over the island, and many people died before the supporters of the Treaty eventually won.

This is WHY there are TWO Irelands today; The independent Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, still part of the United Kingdom.

The two Irelands today

Irish flagsNorthern Ireland – St. Patrick’s Saltire

The United Kingdom

The Republic of Ireland