Who were the Black and Tans?

History The Irish War Of Independence Questions



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Who were the Black and Tans?

The Black and Tans were a paramilitary force recruited by the British government during the Irish War of Independence. They were primarily composed of former World War I soldiers and were sent to Ireland to assist the Royal Irish Constabulary in suppressing the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and other nationalist groups. The Black and Tans gained a reputation for their brutal tactics and indiscriminate violence against civilians, which further fueled the conflict and increased support for the IRA.