Junior Cycle History: The Fight for Irish Independence (1916-1923)

Overview

• Focus on key events from 1916 to 1923.
• Main topics:
  • 1916 Rising
  • War of Independence
  • Foundation of Northern Ireland
  • Anglo-Irish Treaty
  • Irish Civil War

Examination Insights

• Junior Cycle exam questions may require detailed accounts of events.
• Question format: Six developed points for full marks (18 marks total).
• Suggested structure for answers:
  • 2 points on causes
  • 2 points on course
  • 2 points on consequences

Key Events

1916 Rising

• Background: Rise of nationalism and unionism.
• Key Figures: John Redmond, Irish Volunteer split, IRB leaders.
• Planning: Military Council of the IRB planned the rising during WWI.
• Execution: Rising took place on April 24, 1916, mostly in Dublin.
• Outcome: 250 civilians, 130 British soldiers, and 60 rebels killed; Dublin city center destructed.
• Consequences: Change in public opinion, rise of Sinn Fein, clampdown by British (internment, executions).

War of Independence (1919-1921)

• Start: Began with ambush in Soloheadbeg, Tipperary.
• Tactics: Guerrilla warfare by IRA; ambush of RIC and British forces.
• Key Figures: Michael Collins and his squad (assassins).
• British Response: Black and Tans and Auxiliaries; brutal tactics.
• Bloody Sunday: November 21, 1920; retaliation at Croke Park.
• Truce: July 11, 1921; led to Anglo-Irish treaty negotiations.

Foundation of Northern Ireland

• Government of Ireland Act 1920: Partitioned Ireland.
• Consequences: Sectarian conflict; Protestant majority in the North.

Anglo-Irish Treaty

• Negotiations: October 1921; Sinn Fein vs. British government.
• Key Figures: Michael Collins, Arthur Griffith.
• Terms: Irish Free State status; remained in British Commonwealth.
• Contention: Oath of allegiance to British crown; partition not ended.

Irish Civil War (1922-1923)

• Causes: Division over Anglo-Irish Treaty.
• Sides: Pro-Treaty (Irish Free State Army) vs. Anti-Treaty (Republicans).
• Key Events: Occupation and shelling of Four Courts; Munster Republic.
• Outcome: Ceasefire in May 1923; deaths of key leaders (Collins, Griffith).

Impacts and Consequences

• Formation of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.
• Death and destruction, especially in Dublin and Munster.
• Bitter legacy affecting Irish politics.
• Establishment of Irish Free State's constitution and institutions.

Learning Outcomes

• Understand causes and consequences of major events from 1916-1923.
• Practice writing structured answers for exams based on these events.