Comprehensive Study Guide for the Irish War of Independence

Causes and Foundations of the Irish War of Independence

The Irish War of Independence was fundamentally catalyzed by the aftermath of the 1916 Easter Rising. The execution of 16 leaders following the rising caused significant public outrage, which shifted the general sentiment of the Irish population against British rule. In the political sphere, Sinn Féin adapted the goals of the 1916 rising, moving away from the previous objective of Home Rule toward the pursuit of a fully independent Republic. Public opinion was further solidified when the Dáil Éireann was established as an independent parliament, which subsequently declared independence for the Irish Republic.

The Course of the War and Military Tactics

The conflict officially commenced on January 21, 1919. The first act of the war occurred when Irish volunteers, specifically Dan Breen and Sean Treacy, launched an attack on a Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) patrol located at Soloheadbeg, Co. Tipperary. These volunteers eventually became known as the Irish Republican Army (IRA), serving as the official army for the Irish Republic under the leadership of figures such as Michael Collins.

To combat the British forces, the IRA employed guerrilla warfare, a specific military tactic characterized by the use of ambushes and hit-and-run methods. These tactics were primarily used to attack the RIC and raid their supplies for arms and ammunition. Michael Collins also established a specialized unit known as "The Squad," which consisted of paid assassins tasked with identifying and killing British spies.

The British government responded to the IRA's tactics by deploying the Black and Tans, who were former British soldiers, alongside the Auxiliaries. These forces became notorious for carrying out terrible reprisals against the Irish population. Paradoxically, these violent retaliations served to increase local support for the IRA. Significant milestones during this stage of the conflict included the events of Bloody Sunday and the Burning of Cork.

The Truce and the Anglo-Irish Treaty Negotiations

By July 1921, both the Irish and British governments reached the realization that the conflict needed to end, leading to the establishment of a truce. Negotiations were subsequently moved to London, where they lasted for two months. During these talks, the Irish delegation sought a complete independent republic with no border. Conversely, the British delegates aimed to keep Ireland within the British Empire to protect the interests of Ulster unionists.

The resulting Anglo-Irish Treaty establishedSeveral specific terms. Ireland would be designated as the Irish Free State and hold the status of a dominion of Britain. While it would be self-governing within the British Empire and possess its own government, the British King would remain the official ruler. Additionally, a Boundary Commission was formed to determine the exact border between the North and South of Ireland.

Political Schism and the Acceptance of the Treaty

The Anglo-Irish Treaty created a deep divide in Irish politics between the Pro-treaty and Anti-treaty factions. The Pro-treaty side included prominent figures such as Michael Collins, Arthur Griffith, and W.T. Cosgrove. Their support for the treaty was rooted in the pragmatic assessment that Ireland could not fund another war and the belief that the treaty served as a "stepping stone" toward eventual full independence.

The Anti-treaty side was led by Eamon de Valera, Cathal Brugha, and Austin Stack. This group opposed the agreement on the grounds that it failed to achieve the Republic for which so many had fought and died. Ultimately, the Dáil Éireann accepted the Anglo-Irish Treaty by a vote of 64 to 57. This narrow margin and the resulting political friction led directly to the outbreak of the Irish Civil War.