Civil War
There are 3 causes of the civil war:
1. Split in Sinn Fein
2. Split within the IRA
3. Role of DeValera and his rejection of the Treaty
Split in Sinn Fein
Split in S.F over the Treaty reflected the divisions which had existed in the S.F
movement since 1917
Movement contained dual-monarchists like Griffith, people such as DeValera who
wanted external association and doctrinaire Republicans such as Brugha
Once the Treaty was agreed, all these divisions rose to the surface and so it could be
said that the Treaty was only responsible for uncovering the cracks that were
already there
Many Republican doctrinaires within S.F found the terms of the Treaty unacceptable
for various reasons
Oath of Allegiance- politicians and soldiers had to swear oath to British
crown
Ireland partitioned- some correctly predicted that future reunification would
likely be impossible
Ireland’s status as dominion- not only was this not the Republic they hoped
for, it didn’t serve as true stepping stone to establishment of Republic
Women deputies- such as Mary MacSwiney objected because Romantic
vision of Republic which their husbands had died for hadn’t been achieved
The question over Ireland’s status was crucial factor in split of Irish Republicans
STACK- “I stand for what is Ireland’s right, full independence and nothing short of
it”
The Dail debate on the treaty opened on 14th December 1921
What was significant about the opponents of the treaty is that they included
militant republicans e.g. Rory O’Connor
REES- “This was an important factor as many of those on the anti-treaty side were
irreconcilable zealots who had no regard for democratic niceties such as majority
opinion”
After the Treaty there were 3 administrations governing the 26 counties-Collin’s
Provisional government, Griffith’s Dial and O’Connor’s illegal military executive at
the Four Courts
It has been said that because Collins was in charge of a government that by its very
name was provisional, it was denied the respect, privilege and power it deserved
and required to govern the Free State
This contributed to the confusion and instability which was a factor in the outbreak
of the civil war
The Split in IRA
The majority of the IRA were pro-treaty on the basis that, if it was acceptable to
Collins, it was acceptable to them
There are 3 causes of the civil war:
1. Split in Sinn Fein
2. Split within the IRA
3. Role of DeValera and his rejection of the Treaty
Split in Sinn Fein
Split in S.F over the Treaty reflected the divisions which had existed in the S.F
movement since 1917
Movement contained dual-monarchists like Griffith, people such as DeValera who
wanted external association and doctrinaire Republicans such as Brugha
Once the Treaty was agreed, all these divisions rose to the surface and so it could be
said that the Treaty was only responsible for uncovering the cracks that were
already there
Many Republican doctrinaires within S.F found the terms of the Treaty unacceptable
for various reasons
Oath of Allegiance- politicians and soldiers had to swear oath to British
crown
Ireland partitioned- some correctly predicted that future reunification would
likely be impossible
Ireland’s status as dominion- not only was this not the Republic they hoped
for, it didn’t serve as true stepping stone to establishment of Republic
Women deputies- such as Mary MacSwiney objected because Romantic
vision of Republic which their husbands had died for hadn’t been achieved
The question over Ireland’s status was crucial factor in split of Irish Republicans
STACK- “I stand for what is Ireland’s right, full independence and nothing short of
it”
The Dail debate on the treaty opened on 14th December 1921
What was significant about the opponents of the treaty is that they included
militant republicans e.g. Rory O’Connor
REES- “This was an important factor as many of those on the anti-treaty side were
irreconcilable zealots who had no regard for democratic niceties such as majority
opinion”
After the Treaty there were 3 administrations governing the 26 counties-Collin’s
Provisional government, Griffith’s Dial and O’Connor’s illegal military executive at
the Four Courts
It has been said that because Collins was in charge of a government that by its very
name was provisional, it was denied the respect, privilege and power it deserved
and required to govern the Free State
This contributed to the confusion and instability which was a factor in the outbreak
of the civil war
The Split in IRA
The majority of the IRA were pro-treaty on the basis that, if it was acceptable to
Collins, it was acceptable to them
