What were the key provisions of the Government of Ireland Act 1922?

The Government of Ireland Act 1922 was a significant piece of legislation that aimed to address the ongoing conflict between Ireland and Britain. The key provisions of this act were as follows:

1. Partition of Ireland: The act divided Ireland into two separate entities - Northern Ireland and Southern Ireland. Northern Ireland consisted of six predominantly Protestant counties and remained part of the United Kingdom, while Southern Ireland comprised the remaining 26 counties and was intended to become a self-governing entity.

2. Creation of two parliaments: The act established two separate parliaments - the Parliament of Northern Ireland and the Parliament of Southern Ireland. Each parliament was granted the power to legislate on certain matters within their respective jurisdictions.

3. Limited self-government for Southern Ireland: The Parliament of Southern Ireland was granted limited self-government powers, allowing it to make decisions on local matters such as education, health, and agriculture. However, key areas such as defense, foreign policy, and trade remained under the control of the British government.

4. Provision for a Council of Ireland: The act also provided for the establishment of a Council of Ireland, which was intended to act as a forum for cooperation and coordination between the two parliaments. However, this provision was never implemented due to the outbreak of the Irish War of Independence.

5. Retention of the Crown: The act maintained the British monarchy as the head of state for both Northern Ireland and Southern Ireland. This provision aimed to ensure a continued connection between Ireland and Britain.

Overall, the Government of Ireland Act 1922 attempted to address the demands for Irish self-government while also accommodating the concerns of unionists in Northern Ireland. However, the act ultimately failed to bring about a lasting resolution to the conflict, leading to further tensions and eventually the establishment of the independent Irish Free State in 1922.