THE ANGLO-IRISH TREATY, 1921

UNDERSTANDING THE ISSUES, NEGOTIATIONS AND PERSONALITIES

INVOLVED IN THE ANGLO-IRISH TREATY.

WHAT FACTORS CONTRIBUTED TO THE PARTITION OF IRELAND IN 1920?

SITUATION OF PROTESTANTS IN

NORTHERN IRELAND

1916 RISING & THE RISE

OF SINN FÉIN

ULSTER UNIONIST RESISTANCE TO HOME

RULE

WAR OF INDEPENDENCE

WRITE A PARAGRAPH

ON EACH POINT

WHAT FACTORS CONSOLIDATED PARTITION AFTER 1920

• Anglo-Irish Treaty and the Boundary Commission.• Development of a Catholic, Gaelic state in the South

after independence.• Dominance of the Ulster Unionist Party in the

North.• New Constitution in the South.• The experience of World War II.• The Republic of Ireland Act (1948) and the Ireland

Act (1949).

PRELIMINARY NEGOTIATIONS• Preliminary negotiations began between De Valera

and Lloyd George. They met four times in London. After that they corresponded. In these negotiations, they outlined their demands:– De Valera wanted a 32 county republic.– Lloyd George wanted Ireland to remain within the British

Commonwealth as a dominion, keep Northern Ireland and naval bases for the British Navy.

• These proposals were rejected by both the Cabinet and the Dáil.

CHOOSING A DELEGATION• What does De

Valera ask of the Dáil in this source?

De Valera speaks to the Dáil, August 1921

I have one allegiance only to the people of Ireland, and that is to do the best we can for the people of Ireland as we conceive (imagine)

it… I would not like, therefore that anyone should propose me for

election as President who would think I had my mind definitely

made up on any situation that may arise. I keep myself free to consider each question as it arises – I never

bind myself in any other way.

CHOOSING A DELEGATION – THOSE WHO REFUSED

De ValeraArgued that his

position of President would interfere with negotiations but he

didn’t want to be associated with a deal that gave less than a complete Irish state.

Cathal BrughaMilitant

republican. Refused to go to

London.

Austin StackMilitant

republican. Refused to go to

London.

CHOOSING A DELEGATION – THOSE WHO WENT

Michael CollinsUnhappy that he

would now be known to British Intelligence but

saw it as his duty.CHIEF

NEGOTIATOR

Arthur GriffithHeld position of President while Dev in America.

Moderate in views.CHIEF

NEGOTIATOR

Erskine ChildersExtreme republican.

Given roleto balance Griffith’s moderate views.

Caused distrust with Griffith & Collins

SECRETARY

BRITISH DELEGATION• The British delegation

was Prime Minister David Lloyd George, Winston Churchill, Austen Chamberlain and Lord Birkenhead. As conservatives, they were anti-Irish.

Why were the Anglo-Irish Treaty negotiations controversial?

IRISH DELEGATION• The Irish delegation

were technically given full power to make decisions (envoy plenipotentiaries) but de Valera still wanted them to report back on proposals before they were agreed.

• De Valera wasn’t included in the delegation because:– He was head of state– He needed to stay in Dublin to

keep more extreme republicans in check

– His absence would be an excuse to refer British proposals back to Dublin.

• Later critics said he did not want to be blamed for the failure of the talks.

Instructions to Plenipotentiaries from the Cabinet, 7 October, 1921

• What must they wait for before a decision is made on the main issues?

• Do you think they had a clear role?

i. The Plenipotentiaries have full powers as defined in their credentials.

ii. It is understood, however, that before decisions are finally reached on the main questions that a

dispatch (notice)notifying the intention of marking these decisions will be sent to the Members of the Cabinet in Dublin and that a reply will be awaited

by the Plenipotentiaries before the final decision is made.

iii. It is also understood that the complete text of the draft treaty about to be signed will be similarly

submitted to Dublin and reply awaited.iv. In case of a break, the text of final proposals from

our side will be similarly submitted.v. It is understood that the Cabinet in Dublin will be

kept regularly informed of the progress of the negotiations.

Éamon de Valera

WEAKNESSES OF THE IRISH DELEGATIONDE VALERA’S ABSENCE – He was the only person who

understood the idea of ‘external association’ of Ireland with the British Commonwealth.

INSTRUCTIONS TO THE DELEGATES – This were confusing and created

conflict.LOCATION – This gave

the British a psychological

advantage.EXPERIENCED

BRITISH

DELEGATION

OPENING STATEMENTSIf those limitations prove insuperable

(unconquerable), then the responsibility for failure will rest, not with those at the

council table, but with others.

England’s policy in the past has been to treat Ireland as a conquered (defeated) and subject country. If there is a

change in policy of subordinating (keeping

down) Ireland to English interests, then there

appears to be a possibility of peace.

1. What does Lloyd George say in his opening statement?

2. What does Griffith say about England’s past policy?

3. How does the mood differ between the two statements?

THE ISSUES• The issues to be decided by the

negotiations were:– The constitutional status of Ireland

– how much independence would Ireland get and how would it be linked to Britain?

– Partition and unification – would Ireland be 26 or 32 counties?

– British defence requirements in Ireland – there was a danger that an independent Ireland might join up with Britain’s enemies.

THE STRATEGIES• If the negotiations broke down:– The Irish delegation wanted to break on the question of

unity and the Ulster Question – whether the Six Counties would be united with the rest of the country.

– The British delegation wanted to break on the Imperial Question – whether Ireland would be part of the Commonwealth or not.

• Each side believed that they were more likely to receive support from their own people on these issues.

THE NEGOTIATIONS• The early discussions were slow, so sub-committees were set up.• There was early agreement on British naval bases in Ireland, trade

and finance.• The British agreed to allow a united Ireland if it remained a part of

the British Empire. Griffith favoured this but it was rejected by the Northern Unionist leaders.

• De Valera proposed External Association – connected to Britain but not part of the Empire – but that British rejected it.

• Agreement over the Oath of Allegiance – Members of the Dáil and Senate would take it but it would recognise dominion status in Ireland.

• On 6th December 1921, Lloyd George threatened war if the treaty was not signed within three days.

SIGNING THE TREATYWill anyone be satisfied at the bargain? Will anyone? I

tell you this – early this morning I signed my own

death warrant. I thought at the time how odd, how

ridiculous- a bullet may just as well have done the job five years ago… these signatures

are the first real step for Ireland. If people will only

remember that: the first real step.

The Irish delegation signed the Treaty; Griffith first, then Collins, Duggan, Barton and Duffy.

Did Collins agree with the treaty?What did he think the results would be?

TERMS OF THE TREATY• It provided dominion status for Southern Ireland, giving it the

same constitutional status as Canada and other dominion countries.

• Ireland would be known as the Irish Free State.• The king’s representative in Ireland would be the Governor-

General.• Oath of Allegiance would be taken by members of the Dáil and

the Senate.• Three Treaty ports – Queenstown (Cobh), Berehaven, Lough

Swilly – were to be kept by the British Navy for defence.• A Boundary Commission would decide the boundary or border

between Northern Ireland and the rest of Ireland.

REACTION TO THE TREATY1. Who is the ‘vague’

person in this source?2. In your opinion, does

the cartoon in the source capture the mood after the signing of the Treaty? Explain your answer.