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

Key Events Covered

• 1916 Rising
• War of Independence
• Foundation of Northern Ireland
• Anglo-Irish Treaty
• Irish Civil War

Examining the 2022 Junior Cycle Exam Paper

• Example question: "Write a short account of the Irish Civil War." Worth 18 marks.
• Strategy for answering:
  • Provide 6 developed, relevant points (3 marks each):
    • 2 on the background/causes
    • 2 on the course and ending
    • 2 on the impact and consequences
• Equally applicable to other events: 1916 Rising, War of Independence, etc.

Overview of the Lesson

• 1916 Rising: Causes, course, and consequences.
• War of Independence: Course and consequences.
• Foundation of Northern Ireland: Understanding creation.
• Anglo-Irish Treaty Negotiations: Course and impact.
• Irish Civil War: Course and consequences.

1916 Rising

• Background:
  • Rise of nationalism and unionism (1910-1916).
  • John Redmond and Home Rule Party efforts.
  • IRB and military council planning the rising.
• Key Figures: Eamonn Ceannt, Thomas Clarke, Patrick Pearse, etc.
• Events:
  • Planned during WWI; armed uprising against British rule.
  • Setbacks: capture of weapons on the Aud by British.
  • Rising confined mainly to Dublin.
• Consequences:
  • Death and destruction in Dublin.
  • Change in public opinion from anger to sympathy.
  • Rise of the Sinn Féin party.

War of Independence (1919-1921)

• Nature: Guerrilla warfare led by the IRA against British forces.
• Key Players: Michael Collins, Director of Intelligence.
• British Response:
  • Black and Tans and Auxiliaries sent to suppress the revolt.
  • Bloody Sunday: British retaliation at Croke Park.
• Outcome: Truce called in 1921, leading to treaty negotiations.

Foundation of Northern Ireland

• Government of Ireland Act 1920:
  • Partition of Ireland into North and South.
  • Establishment of a parliament in Northern Ireland.
• Impact:
  • Sectarian violence and tensions.
  • Long-term political implications for Ireland.

Anglo-Irish Treaty Negotiations

• Participants: Michael Collins, Arthur Griffith (Sinn Féin); David Lloyd George, Winston Churchill (British).
• Terms:
  • Establishment of the Irish Free State.
  • Ireland remains part of the British Commonwealth.
  • Controversial oath of allegiance to the British Crown.
• Signed: December 6, 1921. Led to divisions and the Irish Civil War.

Irish Civil War (1922-1923)

• Conflict:
  • Split between pro-treaty (Free State Army) and anti-treaty forces (Republicans).
  • Key event: Bombardment of the Four Courts in Dublin.
• Consequences:
  • Formation of political parties: Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.
  • Death and destruction, especially in Munster.
  • Bitter legacy impacting Irish politics.

Conclusion

• Importance of understanding each event's causes, course, and consequences.
• Exam preparation: practice writing accounts for each key event using provided template.
• Emphasis on thorough preparation for potential exam questions.