History The Irish War Of Independence Questions Medium
The main differences between the Irish War of Independence and the Irish Civil War can be summarized as follows:
1. Objective: The Irish War of Independence (1919-1921) was primarily a conflict between Irish nationalists, represented by the Irish Republican Army (IRA), and the British government, with the aim of achieving independence for Ireland. On the other hand, the Irish Civil War (1922-1923) was an internal conflict among Irish nationalists themselves, specifically between those who supported the Anglo-Irish Treaty (which established the Irish Free State) and those who opposed it.
2. Cause: The Irish War of Independence was sparked by a combination of factors, including the desire for self-determination, resentment towards British rule, and the influence of the Easter Rising of 1916. The Irish Civil War, however, was a direct consequence of the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty in 1921, which divided Irish nationalists over the terms of the treaty and the level of independence it granted.
3. Participants: In the Irish War of Independence, the main participants were the IRA, led by figures such as Michael Collins, and the British forces, including the Royal Irish Constabulary and the British Army. In the Irish Civil War, the conflict was primarily between the pro-treaty forces, known as the Free State Army or National Army, and the anti-treaty forces, composed of former IRA members who opposed the treaty.
4. Nature of the conflict: The Irish War of Independence was characterized by guerrilla warfare tactics employed by the IRA, including ambushes, assassinations, and attacks on British forces. The conflict was largely asymmetrical, with the IRA operating as a guerrilla force against the British military. In contrast, the Irish Civil War involved more conventional warfare, with both sides engaging in open battles and sieges.
5. Outcome: The Irish War of Independence resulted in the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty in December 1921, which established the Irish Free State as a self-governing dominion within the British Empire. However, the treaty was met with opposition from those who believed it did not go far enough in achieving full independence. This led to the Irish Civil War, which ended in May 1923 with the victory of the pro-treaty forces, resulting in the establishment of the Irish Free State and the division of Ireland into Northern Ireland (remaining part of the United Kingdom) and the Irish Free State (later becoming the Republic of Ireland).
Overall, while the Irish War of Independence was a struggle for independence against British rule, the Irish Civil War was a bitter internal conflict among Irish nationalists over the terms of the treaty that granted partial independence.