What were the main differences between the Irish War of Independence and the Irish Home Rule movement?

History The Irish War Of Independence Questions Medium



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What were the main differences between the Irish War of Independence and the Irish Home Rule movement?

The main differences between the Irish War of Independence and the Irish Home Rule movement lie in their objectives, methods, and outcomes.

1. Objectives:
- Irish Home Rule movement: The Home Rule movement aimed to secure self-government for Ireland within the British Empire. It sought to establish a devolved Irish parliament with limited powers to govern domestic affairs while remaining part of the United Kingdom.
- Irish War of Independence: The War of Independence sought complete independence from British rule and the establishment of an Irish Republic, separate from the British Empire.

2. Methods:
- Irish Home Rule movement: The Home Rule movement primarily relied on political negotiations, lobbying, and parliamentary tactics to achieve its goals. It aimed to secure the passage of Home Rule bills through the British Parliament.
- Irish War of Independence: The War of Independence involved armed resistance and guerrilla warfare against British forces in Ireland. It included ambushes, attacks on police and military personnel, and the formation of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) to fight for independence.

3. Outcomes:
- Irish Home Rule movement: The Home Rule movement achieved some success with the passage of the Government of Ireland Act in 1914, which granted limited self-government to Ireland. However, its implementation was delayed due to World War I and ultimately overshadowed by the events of the War of Independence.
- Irish War of Independence: The War of Independence, which lasted from 1919 to 1921, resulted in a military stalemate between the British forces and the IRA. The conflict led to negotiations, resulting in the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty in 1921. The treaty established the Irish Free State, a self-governing dominion within the British Empire, but fell short of the complete independence sought by some Irish nationalists. This led to further divisions and the subsequent Irish Civil War.

In summary, the Irish Home Rule movement aimed for limited self-government within the British Empire through political means, while the Irish War of Independence sought complete independence through armed resistance. The outcomes of the Home Rule movement were overshadowed by the War of Independence, which eventually led to the establishment of the Irish Free State but also sparked further conflicts.