Modern Ireland: a very short introduction by Senia Pašeta

Author:Senia Pašeta [Pašeta, Senia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: General, Europe, History - General History, History, 20th century, Travel, Political Science, Regional History, History: World, Ireland, Europe - Ireland, British & Irish history, 19th century, Politics & government, International Relations, International Relations - General, Civilization, British & Irish history: from c 1900 -, Ireland - History - 19th century, Ireland - Civilization., Ireland - History - 20th century., Ireland - Civilization, Ireland - History - 20th century, Ireland - History - 19th century., Ireland - History
ISBN: 9780192801678
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Published: 2003-02-15T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 6

Independent Ireland

What one nationalist described as nationalist Ireland’s ‘desperate homesickness for a Split’ once again reared its ugly head in the aftermath of the vote on the Anglo-Irish Treaty. In January 1922, Dáil Éireann delivered its verdict: 64 votes for, and 57 against. The ballot itself was hardly a ringing endorsement of the settlement, but it did reflect general nationalist opinion in the country, if not in the Dáil. The hard-fought battle over the Treaty’s ratification instilled in its pragmatic advocates a determination to defend it against all comers. It also shaped the divisions which were to characterize Irish politics for decades. The first ostensible break became obvious when de Valera led his followers out of the Dáil after the Treaty’s confirmation. Ireland was once again polarized and plunged into crisis. It was to be the first of many challenges to the new state. The Treaty and Civil War

Michael Collins became chairman of the provisional government formed a week after the Treaty debate. Any hope of an easy transition to normal politics was dashed by the dissenting anti-Treaty minority, famously described by Kevin O’Higgins, Minister for Justice, as ‘wild men screaming through the keyhole’. The animosity between pro-and anti-Treaty Sinn Féin was indeed savage, and deeply destabilizing as both sides anxiously set about to capture the loyalty of the potentially pivotal IRA: Collins’s 86

supporters within the organization constituted the basis of what was to become the Free State Army, while anti-Treaty IRA members became known as ‘Irregulars’. In April, the latter took up positions in the Four Courts and other significant and symbolically important buildings in Dublin. Despite soothing words and initiatives suggested by both sides, armed conflict looked increasingly likely. Public opinion endorsed the Treaty at a general election held in June. The anti-Treatyites won 36 of a total of 128 seats, while proTreaty Sinn Féin took 58. The rest went to Labour (17), the Farmers’

Party (7), and independents (10), all of which supported the Treaty. Voters’ motives were no doubt mixed: the desire for peace probably motivated more constituents than ideological considerations, but an unquestionable majority had spoken. A public mandate was not, however, enough to convince the dissidents, who remained entrenched in the Four Courts. Having refused an order to Indepen

evacuate, the Provisional Government’s troops fired upon the Irregulars on 28 June. A vicious war between former fellow soldiers dent and friends thus began in Dublin, before moving to other cities and Irelan towns and ending in a miserable series of guerrilla-like ambushes d

and skirmishes.

The Civil War lasted from June until the following May. The final death toll remains uncertain: the government claimed that 800 of its forces had been killed, but the republican death toll was higher. Anti-Treaty forces had not been able to capitalize on their initial military advantage and, perhaps more significantly, had not won popular support for their stand. The backing of the Catholic hierarchy added legitimacy to the Provisional Government. The insurgents who maintained their fight against the democratically elected government faced excommunication.

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