The Irish Civil War

Ireland Ireland is a small island to the west of England. In the late 17 th century, Ireland was conquered by the English, along with Scotland and Wales. This continued for more than 200 years.

Britain and Ireland

Easter Uprising During World War I, Britain was fighting Germany on mainland Europe On Easter Sunday, April , 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 After 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 Many 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 flags Northern Ireland – St. Patrick’s Saltire

The United Kingdom

The Republic of Ireland