Even though Britain is called the United Kingdom not everything on the isles is in fact united. There are two different nations on the Irish isles: Ireland and Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom. The question is why the United Kingdom and
Ireland are split apart. Ireland was a part of Britain’s Empire before and even though the colonies of Britain are now independent, Scotland and Wales are still a part of Britain. To answer the question on why Ireland and Britain are split apart, this term paper will look at Britain and the Irish War of Independence.
Starting out the paper will look at the time before the war. The focus lies on the relationship between Britain and Ireland and what has caused the rift between both that might have caused the war. The next part will cover the war itself. The paper will look at both sides of the conflict and analyse their goals, actions and intentions during wartime. After that the outcome of the war will be looked at. The term paper will look at the reason for the cease fire and what the immediate consequences of the cease fire, and by extend the peace deal were. Lastly, this paper will take a look at the long-term consequences of the Irish War of Independence for Britain and its empire.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Britain and Ireland before the war
3. The Irish War of Independence
3.1 Outbreak of the war
3.2 Ongoing of the war
3.3 End of the war
4. Consequences of the war
5. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper examines the historical trajectory of the relationship between Britain and Ireland, focusing on the origins, progression, and aftermath of the Irish War of Independence, with the primary objective of understanding the factors that led to the partition of Ireland and the decline of British imperial influence in the region.
- Historical roots of British-Irish relations and colonial governance
- Impact of the Great Famine and the 1916 Easter Rising on nationalist sentiment
- Analysis of guerrilla warfare tactics and British counter-insurgency efforts
- The political and military dynamics leading to the Anglo-Irish Treaty
- Long-term consequences for the British Empire and the formation of the Irish Free State
Excerpt from the Book
3.2 Ongoing of the war
It was the objective of the IRA to fend of the British and push them of the Irish isle (Gray 2007, 376). They wanted to establish a truly Irish republic without British interference (ibid.). The British however wanted to preserve their control over the Irish lands and, more importantly, preserve the integrity of the British Empire (Gray 2007, 382). The war against Germany has just ended in an Allied victory with Britain and her armies having done most of the work in the western theatre of the war. One can imagine that losing a colony this near to the homeland would be a heavy blow to the British Empire, at home and on the international stage. Britain had to act to preserve their rule over Ireland and possibly their rule over the Empire.
The war itself was not a normal war were armies met on a battlefield and fought in deep trenches against one another as it had been the case during the First World War. The IRA utilised guerrilla warfare tactics against the British forces (McGrath 2012, 67-68), while the British had almost a lacklustre response to IRA violence in the beginning (Gray 2007, 382). “In fact, London never could decide whether or not what was happening in the south of Ireland was warfare or something else of much lesser significance” (ibid.). This was reflected in how the police, and later the paramilitary forces, of Britain responded to the IRA’s actions (ibid.). They responded “more or less tit-for-tat” (ibid.). The paramilitary forces involved were the so called “Black and Tans” which were veterans from the Great War (Dorney 2012).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the scope of the research and the historical context concerning the tension between the United Kingdom and Ireland.
2. Britain and Ireland before the war: Discusses the historical evolution of British rule over Ireland, highlighting key events like the "Crown of Ireland Act" and the Great Famine that fostered anti-British sentiment.
3. The Irish War of Independence: Details the transition from political struggle to armed conflict, covering the military strategy, the guerrilla campaign, and the eventual cessation of hostilities.
4. Consequences of the war: Examines the geopolitical shifts following the Anglo-Irish Treaty and the internal political strife that led to the Irish Civil War.
5. Conclusion: Evaluates the overall impact of the conflict, suggesting that the loss of the colony served as a significant blow to British international prestige.
Keywords
Irish War of Independence, British Empire, IRA, Sinn Féin, Guerrilla Warfare, Anglo-Irish Treaty, Great Famine, Colonialism, Irish Free State, Nationalism, Sovereignty, Political Conflict, Historical Analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this term paper?
The paper explores the historical conflict between Britain and Ireland, specifically analyzing the Irish War of Independence and its role in the dissolution of British colonial rule in Ireland.
What are the primary themes discussed?
Key themes include the evolution of British imperial policy, the rise of Irish nationalism, the efficacy of guerrilla warfare, and the geopolitical consequences of the Anglo-Irish Treaty.
What is the main research question?
The paper seeks to answer why the United Kingdom and Ireland eventually split apart and how the War of Independence fundamentally altered that relationship.
Which methodology is employed in this research?
The work utilizes a qualitative historical analysis based on existing scholarly literature, examining political acts, military actions, and the socio-economic factors influencing the conflict.
What content is covered in the main body of the text?
The main body covers the historical context of British rule, the escalation of violence during the war, the specific military tactics used by the IRA and British forces, and the subsequent peace process.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
The work is defined by terms such as Irish independence, British Empire, guerrilla tactics, Anglo-Irish Treaty, and nationalist movements.
How did the 1916 Easter Rising influence the later war?
The execution of rebel leaders by British forces following the 1916 Rising sparked public outrage and significantly boosted the electoral prospects of Irish separatists in 1918.
What was the role of the "Black and Tans"?
They were paramilitary forces consisting of Great War veterans who engaged in tit-for-tat violence against the Irish populace as a counter-insurgency measure against the IRA.
What significance did the Anglo-Irish Treaty hold for the British Empire?
The treaty resulted in the loss of a major colony near the British mainland, which served as an embarrassment to Britain and signaled potential vulnerability to other imperial colonies.
Why did a civil war break out after the Treaty?
Conflict arose between factions who accepted the terms of the treaty and those who opposed it, viewing it as a betrayal of full Irish independence and a surrender of the northern territories.
- Citar trabajo
- Paul Sarich (Autor), 2021, Britain and the Irish War of Independence. Why are they split apart?, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1138761
