THE RISE AND IMPACT OF NATIONALISM AND UNIONISM IN IRELAND, 1911–23
15 Analysing Sources – Anti-Treaty and Pro-Treaty Propaganda
An anti-Treaty print attributed to Countess Markievicz
Controversial issues
Who are Churchill’s puppets, according to the print?
What is the main point being made by the print?
That Collins and Griffith who were part of the Irish delegation that negotiated the Anglo-Irish Treaty were under the control of Churchill who was negotiating on behalf of Britain
What evidence suggests that this is an anti- Treaty print?
• The print accuses Collins and Griffith (who were pro-Treaty) of being under the influence of Britain in ‘the present war on the Irish Republic’
• That they are puppets with no mind, voice and hands of their own
A pro-Treaty poster
Select what you consider are the four main points made in support of the Treaty.
Take any four points from the list here – 1–16.
Which source is more effective in getting its point across?
• Note – the drawing in the print – easy to understand
• Also one main point about Collins and Griffith being under Churchill’s (and Britain’s) control
• Note – the drawing in the print – the writing is a bit sloppy
• Note – the poster – use of red colour and big print in headings – easy to see and read
• Note – the poster – too many points – 1 to 16 – hard to read and small print
Assessing Your Learning
1. Name two members of the Sinn Féin delegation who went to London to negotiate the Anglo-Irish Treaty.
2. Why did de Valera decide not to go on the delegation? 3. How did the Sinn Féin aims for the negotiations differ from the British aims? 4. Outline three key terms of the Anglo-Irish Treaty.
5. Explain one difference between the pro-Treaty view on the Anglo-Irish Treaty and an anti-Treaty view.