MAKING HISTORY Guerrilla warfare and the end of the Civil War
The Republicans now resorted to guerrilla warfare. But they were not as successful as they had been during the War of Independence. ● Most of the people now supported the Treaty. ● The Free State Army knew the countryside as well as the Republicans did.
The Civil War became very bitter. Both sides carried out brutal killings. The war dragged on until Liam Lynch, leader of the anti-Treaty IRA, was killed in April 1923. Frank Aiken replaced him as chief of staff. Aiken and de Valera decided to call a ceasefire in May 1923.
The consequences of the Civil War 1
Death and destruction Up to 1,500 people were killed
There was damage to property, equivalent to €38 million
Dublin was destroyed for the second time in six years
5 Political parties
The two largest political parties grew out of the pro- and anti-Treaty sides of the Civil War
Cumann na nGaedheal (later Fine Gael) developed from the pro-Treaty side
Fianna Fáil developed from the anti-Treaty side
The Results (Consequences) of the Civil War
4
Democratic tradition Victory for the government forces reflected the majority opinion of the people
This strengthened the democratic tradition in the country
Assessing Your Learning
1. Select two causes of the Irish Civil War and explain how they contributed to causing the war.
2. What was the first action of the Civil War? 3. What was the Munster Republic? 4. How did Griffith and Collins die?
5. Why wasn’t guerrilla warfare successful in the Civil War compared to the War of Independence?
6. How did the Civil War end? 7. Select two results (consequences) of the Civil War and explain their effects.
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2
Lost leaders
Ireland lost some of its most able leaders, including Griffith and Collins
3 Bitterness
Great bitterness developed during the Civil War which lasted for decades
The government executed anti-Treaty leaders
The anti-Treaty forces assassinated government TDs