History The Irish War Of Independence Questions Medium
The Anglo-Irish Treaty, signed on December 6, 1921, marked a significant turning point in the Irish War of Independence. The key provisions of the treaty regarding the Irish Free State were as follows:
1. Dominion Status: The treaty granted the Irish Free State dominion status within the British Empire, similar to that of Canada or Australia. This meant that Ireland would have self-governance and control over its internal affairs, while still recognizing the British monarch as the head of state.
2. Partition: The treaty allowed for the partition of Ireland, creating two separate entities: Northern Ireland, which remained part of the United Kingdom, and the Irish Free State, which encompassed the rest of the island.
3. Oath of Allegiance: The treaty required members of the Irish parliament to take an oath of allegiance to the British Crown. This provision was highly controversial and became a major point of contention within Ireland, leading to a split among Irish nationalists.
4. Treaty Ports: The treaty allowed the British to retain control over three strategically important naval bases, known as the Treaty Ports, in Berehaven, Queenstown (now Cobh), and Lough Swilly. This provision was seen as a compromise to ensure British security interests.
5. Financial Obligations: The treaty established that the Irish Free State would assume a portion of the United Kingdom's national debt, as well as contribute to the pensions of British civil servants in Ireland.
6. Boundary Commission: The treaty included a provision for the establishment of a Boundary Commission to review the border between Northern Ireland and the Irish Free State. However, this commission was ultimately ineffective and did not lead to any significant changes to the border.
Overall, the Anglo-Irish Treaty represented a compromise between the aspirations of Irish nationalists for independence and the interests of the British government. While it granted Ireland a degree of self-governance, it also contained provisions that were contentious and ultimately contributed to further divisions within Ireland.