Special Focus: Social Life at the Start of the Twentieth Century
C. 1916
D. War of Independence E. The Irish Free State Apply Your Learning
1911–1923
CHAPTER CONTENTS A. How Do We Know about Ireland in the
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A short history of Ireland 1911–1923 Since the 1801 Act of Union, Ireland had been part of the United Kingdom (UK). All decisions about Ireland were made in the British parliament in Westminster, London. Politically, the Irish population was divided into two main groups:
who wanted more independence for Ireland and who wished to remain part of the United Kingdom.
The events of the early twentieth century caused increased tension between these two groups and almost plunged Ireland into a civil war between nationalists and unionists. Instead, war broke out in Europe in 1914. By the time the First World War was over in 1918, things in Ireland had changed utterly. The War of Independence followed and civil war, when it came, was between two opposing groups of nationalists. The period between 1911 and 1923 is one of the most important and significant periods in Irish history and its impact is still being felt today.