The terms of the Anglo-Irish Treaty (i) Ireland would be known as the Irish Free State.
(ii) Ireland would still be a dominion of (part of) the British Commonwealth. (iii) The King of England would be represented in Ireland by a Governor-General.
(iv) Members of the Dáil and Seanad (Senate) would take an oath of allegiance (loyalty) to the Irish Government and faithfulness to the King of England.
(v) Britain would have the use of three ports (the ‘Treaty ports’) – Berehaven, Cobh and Lough Swilly.
(vi) A Boundary Commission would be established to decide on the border between the north and south of Ireland.
What were the Treaty debates?
There was widespread debate in Ireland over the terms of the Treaty. The Dáil debated the Treaty from December 1921 to January 1922. Arguments for and against the Treaty
Pro-Treaty
Those who favoured the Treaty (the pro-Treaty side) included Griffith and Collins. They argued that: ●
The IRA was not able to carry on a war any longer.
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The Treaty was a stepping stone to full independence. Collins said: ‘It gives us freedom, not the ultimate freedom that all nations desire and develop to, but the freedom to achieve it.’
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The Treaty gave Ireland much more independence than Home Rule.
The debate sometimes became very emotional. It concluded on 7 January 1922, when the Treaty was accepted by 64 votes to 57. De Valera resigned as President of the Executive Council. He and his supporters left the Dáil. The pro-Treaty side now took over the government, with Arthur Griffith replacing de Valera as president.
Anti-Treaty
The anti-Treaty side was led by de Valera and Cathal Brugha. They argued that: ●
The Treaty did not give Ireland the republic they had fought for.
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Better terms could have been negotiated.
The oath of allegiance recognised the king as head of state.