Irish Free State
Saorstát Éireann
Ireland begins the twentieth century as a constituent part of the United Kingdom, annexed by England in the twelfth century and now sending members to the Parliament at Westminster on an equal basis with England, Scotland and Wales. However, there have been calls for Irish independence from Britain for a very long time and it is in the 1920s that these problems finally come to a head. At Easter 1916, with Britain enduring the greatest war in its history, Irish nationalists staged a 'revolution' in Dublin. It was soon put down by British troops, but its effects continue to be felt, particularly after the British executed its surviving leaders by firing squad. The Easter Rising polarised Irish society, with many believing it to be a treasonous act, particularly with so many Irishmen at the front fighting for their country, and others believing the rebels to be heroes and the Irishmen serving in the British Army to be the traitors.
In the 1918 general election Sinn Féin, the new revolutionary nationalist party, won a convincing victory. Their members refused to attend Westminster, instead setting up their own Irish Assembly (Dáil Éireann) in Dublin. The Irish Republican Army (IRA) was established as the 'military' wing of Sinn Féin and begins a terrorist campaign against the British Army, the Royal Irish Constabulary and other government institutions. The British respond ruthlessly and virtual war breaks out in some areas.
This is the situation in which Ireland finds itself at the beginning of the 1920s. IRA terrorism increases, while loyalist terrorist organisations respond. The British Army and the RIC attempt to keep the peace, but are supplemented by auxiliary police organisations known as the Black and Tans and the Auxies, mainly ex-soldiers who are capable of every bit as much brutality as the IRA.
In 1920, the British Government passes the Government of Ireland Act, creating two separate self-governing territories, Northern Ireland (which is predominantly loyalist) and Southern Ireland. However, the nationalists refuse to recognise the legitimacy of British government and disagree with partition, and although the Northern Ireland Parliament is opened in 1921 the Southern Ireland Parliament does not come into existence. The two sides do open negotiations, however, and in December 1921 the Anglo-Irish Treaty creates the Irish Free State, an independent Southern Ireland still under the rule of the British Crown as a Dominion (with the same status as Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa). The six counties of Northern Ireland are to remain a self-governing part of the United Kingdom.
However, many nationalists are violently opposed to the treaty, which is only signed after Britain threatens full-scale war if it is not. The nationalists particularly object to the status of Northern Ireland (believing that Ireland should be a united country) and to the oath of allegiance to the Crown that all officials must take in a Dominion. President Eamon de Valera resigns and civil war breaks out in the south. However, the Irish Free State does come into being in 1922. The new government, under President William Cosgrave, fights the IRA ruthlessly, and many republican leaders are imprisoned or executed. Sinn Féin continues to win support in the Dáil (now the official Irish parliament) but, as its members refuse to attend, Cosgrave retains power.
As there is little political opposition to his government Cosgrave is able to rule efficiently. He conquers great economic difficulties, improves farming policies, creates an efficient bureaucracy, overhauls the judicial system, and largely eliminates the hitherto common corruption in local government. In 1927 De Valera and his new party, Fianna Fáil, finally agree to swear the oath of allegiance to the Crown and take up their seats in the Dáil. Their influence increases over the last years of the decade, although Cosgrave's Cumann na nGaedheal retains power.
Agriculture remains the mainstay of the Irish economy, with oats, barley, vegetables (especially potatoes and turnips), sugar beet and flax being most important, along with cattle. Fishing is also important. Most industries are those connected with agriculture, since Ireland has no mineral resources to speak of. The government is pioneering hydroelectric schemes on the Shannon and other rivers.
