Irish Free State Treaty

Setting the scene

The Anglo-Irish Treaty was signed on December 6, 1921, ending the Irish War of Independence (1919-1921) and creating the Irish Free State. The treaty was negotiated in London by Irish delegates led by Michael Collins and Arthur Griffith, and British representatives led by Prime Minister David Lloyd George. After three years of guerrilla war by the Irish Republican Army against British forces, both sides sought peace. Lloyd George threatened 'immediate and terrible war' if the Irish refused to sign.

What happened

The treaty granted dominion status to 26 of Ireland's 32 counties as the Irish Free State, within the British Empire, similar to Canada. It required an oath of allegiance to the British Crown, allowed Britain to retain naval bases (Treaty Ports), and partitioned Ireland—six northeastern counties (Northern Ireland) could opt out, which they did immediately. The treaty fell short of the Irish Republic proclaimed in 1916, which had demanded full independence.

Why it still matters

The treaty split Irish nationalists. It was narrowly approved by the Dáil (Irish parliament) on January 7, 1922, 64-57, but opponents led by Éamon de Valera rejected it, leading to the Irish Civil War (1922-1923) between pro-treaty and anti-treaty forces. Michael Collins, who signed the treaty believing it gave 'freedom to achieve freedom,' was killed in the civil war in August 1922. The treaty established the basis for modern Ireland, which became a republic in 1949, but partition created the Northern Ireland conflict that lasted until the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.

Background

Civil war followed over the compromise.