Today we are learning about Ireland’s struggle to gain independence

IRISH INDEPENDENCE

A BIT OF HISTORY

Ireland -Ruled by the Normans (Viking descendants)

English history- William the Conqueror was from Normandy! – Battle of Hastings- Anglo-Saxon ruled England before this.

Not until after the Protestant Reformation (remember Henry VIII) did England have much interest in Ireland

1800 – Act of Union- Est. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland

BACKGROUND

Majority of Irish wanted a greater say in how their country was run following the potato famine

Protestant North

Ruled by gov in London

Catholic South

Independence from Brit. Home Rule

1914 – plans that allowed Ireland a gov. of its own were drawn up.WWI- halted Home Rule

THE EASTER RISING

Easter 1916 –Irish nationalists took matters into their own hands

Irish Republican Brotherhood – launched armed uprising in Dublin

Took over Post office

Held off British troops for 5 days

Leaders executed by firing squad

Failed, yet sparked independence due to harshness of Britain

INDEPENDENCE FOR IRELAND

Sinn Fein (“We Ourselves” wanted to drive the British out.

1917 -Eamon da Valera elected president

Goal: Drive British out

Organized: Irish Republican Army

Michael Collins: leader of IRA – Anglo-Irish War

British response:

The Black and Tans Group of ex-soldiers nicknamed because

of the uniforms they wore.

Violence broke out!

RESULTS OF ANGLO-IRISH TREATY

Southern Ireland became an Irish Free State

Have some powers to rule itself

Six counties in the North became part of Britain

Fighting continued – civil war in the south

1937- Independent Eire established.

IRA – WHY THE CONFLICT?

In the North, the Catholic minority, many of them with "republican" or "nationalist" sympathies," found they faced discrimination for jobs, housing, and in their treatment before the law.  On the other side, Protestant "unionists" held sway, controlled the patronage that doled out government jobs, and remained fiercely loyal to the British crown. Throughout much of the 20th century, Northern Ireland's shipyards, linen mills, and other manufacturing hubs played an important role in the economy of the British Empire. Catholic residents, however, largely were excluded from this prosperity, and when the conflict the Irish call "the Troubles" erupted in 1969, the Catholic unemployment rate in some parts of the province topped 30 percent.

Source: Council on Foreign Relations

WHAT KIND OF ATTACKS HAS THE IRA CARRIED OUT?

Since the late 1960s, the IRA has killed about 1,800 people, including about 650 civilians. The primary targets were British troops, police officers, prison guards, and judges as well as rival paramilitary militants, drug dealers, and informers in Ulster.

Source: Council on Foreign Relations

BREAKING FREE FROM BRITAIN

1931- Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Canada – given the right to govern themselves.

1947 - India & Pakistan

1960s/70s – other African colonies gain independence