The Anglo Irish Treaty and its Aftermath (The Civil War) (Leaving Cert History): Model Answers

Anglo-Irish relations 1922-39

Essay Plan

INTRO:

• Free State established in 1922, leading to civil war.
• Ongoing conflict over Irish independence and relations with Britain.
• Two main parties, CnaG and FF, led by Cosgrave and de Valera, approached issues differently.

BODY PARAGRAPHS:

1. Boundary Commission and its significance.
2. CnaG's stance on the Boundary Commission.
3. Move beyond Dominion status.
4. Impact of the Statute of Westminster 1931.
5. FF policy and de Valera's aims.
6. Changes in the courts and judicial system.
7. External Relations Act 1936.
8. Anglo-Irish Agreement 1938.
9. Republic of Ireland Act 1948.
10. British response to these developments.

CONCLUSION:

• Republic of Ireland Act marked a key moment in Anglo-Irish relations, establishing a 26-county sovereign republic.
• The Free State, born in violence and division, evolved into the independent republic that exists today.

Sample Essay

Anglo-Irish relations experienced significant developments from 1923-49. The Irish Free State came into existence in December 1922, and the new nation was born into a civil war. There was the ongoing conflict of Irish independence and Ireland's relationship with Britain, so Anglo-Irish relations remained a dominant issue in politics over the years. Two parties, Cumann na nGaedheal, led by Cosgrave and Fianna Fáil, led by Eamon de Valera, were in power during this period and dealt with Anglo-Irish issues differently.

In July 1923, Cosgrave appointed Eoin MacNeill to the Free State Cabinet Boundary Commission. The commission aimed to settle a border between the North and South. The British appointed Feetham, an independent chairman, and James Craig refused to appoint a commissioner for Northern Ireland, so J.R. Fisher was chosen. When work began in 1924, it did not go well for the Free State, as they lost some land in places like Donegal, which was unacceptable. A summary of the commission's findings was leaked, which was a disaster for Cosgrave and his cabinet.

Cosgrave began to panic and had MacNeill resign from the commission and the government. An emergency meeting was called with the British Prime Minister, in which Cosgrave agreed that the border should remain unchanged and that the leaked report should be destroyed. In December 1925, the two governments signed the Boundary Commission, and the report was suppressed, but the border was not altered. Overall, the commission was a disaster for Cumann na nGaedheal, who continued to seek further concessions for the new State.

From 1923 onwards, the Irish delegation played a leading role at the Imperial Conference, which discussed dominion matters. During the 1920s, the dominions' powers increased after Irish delegate O'Higgins contacted other dominion delegations, forcing Arthur Balfour, the conference chairman, to make the Balfour Declaration. It stated that dominions were "autonomous communities within the British Empire." This was a stepping stone towards the Statute of Westminster, a key agreement in Anglo-Irish relations.

The Statue of Westminster was groundbreaking legislation that gave all dominion control of their affairs; they had full authority to make their foreign policy laws. This enabled the Free State to revisit the Anglo-Irish Treaty. Cosgrave intended to honour the Treaty, but he and his cabinet left office soon after. Cumann na nGaedheal were restrained in their pursuit of sovereignty, and Fianna Fail succeeded them in dismantling the controversial Treaty, which was essential to Anglo-Irish relations.

When Fianna Fail entered office in 1932, with de Valera as the leader, their aims consisted of abolishing land annuities and dismantling the Treaty. De Valera's ultimate goal was to achieve a republic. Cumann na nGaedheal was unopposed until Fianna Fail informed the British government of their plan to remove the Oath of Allegiance using the Statue of Westminster. The Constitution Bill was passed regardless of British opposition in 1933, de Valera commenting: "the Oath is an intolerable burden to the people of the State" All mentions of the King were removed, with the help of Ó Buachalla, the Governor General whose job was to sign legislation, and not mingle with Anglo-Irish affairs. The Privy Council undermined the Free State's independence, so the Statute of Westminster was used, claiming it was legally entitled to pass its own legislation. In addition, a 1934 bill abolished the Senate. When the bill passed and became law, it paved the way for the Seanad to be set up under the new constitution in 1937. The Statue of Westminster aided the progression towards an independent Ireland and developed Anglo-Irish relations in a new direction.

In December 1936. King Edward abdicated the throne, and de Valera saw this as an opportunity to pass new legislation into the Dáil. His main aim from the beginning was to remove the Oath to the King from the Irish constitution; with the passing of the Constitutional Amendment Act and the External Relations Act, all mentions of the Crown had been removed, changing relations between Britain and Ireland. The British were annoyed at this, but ultimately, the changes cleared the way for de Valera to introduce Bunreacht na hÉireann.

By 1938, the Irish Free State became known as Éire and de Valera had almost achieved his republic. The British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain was eager to agree with Ireland. On April 25 1938, 3 separate Anglo-Irish agreements were made: the finance agreement included a £10 million payment for land annuities to Britain. The trade agreement agreed to lower tariffs and quotas. Finally, the defence agreement returned the treaty ports of Queenstown (Cobh), Loughswilly and Berehaven to Irish control. This was a massive triumph for de Valera and a huge step in the right direction for Anglo-Irish relations.

In February 1948, the first inter-party governments were formed; the parties included were Fine Gael, Labour, Clann na Talmhan, and Clann na Poblachta. They united to remove de Valera and Fianna Fáil from office. The new Taoiseach was John A. Costello from Fine Gael, and he completed the steps towards securing a republic. On December 21, 1948, the Dáil passed the Republic of Ireland Act, and the sovereign republic, which consisted of 26 counties, was established on Easter Monday, 1949. Costello commented, "It places the question of Irish sovereignty and status beyond dispute."

The British response to Ireland becoming a republic was mixed. The Labour PM Clement Atlee warned of the consequences of leaving the commonwealth, including trade and commerce effects. Ulster Unionists sought to guarantee their position in the UK, and King George VI sent goodwill wishes to the new republic. Britain also passed the Ireland Act: Northern Ireland would only leave the UK and join Ireland if they wanted to. Another act concerning the equal treatment of Irish citizens in the UK was passed. Overall, this point, Anglo-Irish relations were positive.

In conclusion, The Republic of Ireland Act ended a long, treacherous chapter of Anglo-Irish relations. The Irish Question was resolved with the 26 counties gaining independence and sovereignty. De Valera had commented, "at any rate, we have achieved freedom as far as this part of Ireland is concerned". The Free State that begun in violence & division had developed into fully autonomous republic of Ireland. It remains so today, with largely positive relations with the UK.