The Irish Civil War After the Dáil debates, the divisions between the Pro-Treaty and Anti-Treaty sides grew
wider. Very often, families and friends disagreed. The slide towards Civil War began when a group of Republicans (Anti-Treaty)
took over the Four Courts in the centre of Dublin in April 1922. This was a direct challenge to the government. The government was also under pressure from the British government who feared that war would break out again. A general election in June 1922 gave a huge majority in favour of the Treaty. This put the Free State government in a stronger position. When the Republicans in the Four Courts captured a Free State general, Griffith and Collins decided to attack them.
Pro-Treaty Regulars
Free State government
Government forces
Can you explain these causes of the Irish Civil War?
Anti-Treaty Irregulars
Republicans General election results June 1922
Sinn Féin (Pro-Treaty) Sinn Féin (Anti-Treaty)
The rest (including the Labour Party) – Pro-Treaty Total – Pro-Treaty Total – Anti-Treaty
58 36 34 92 36
Freedom to
Disagreements over the Anglo-Irish Treaty
achieve freedom
Failure to achieve
a republic
Causes of the Irish Civil War
General election results
Take-over of the
British Government pressure
The fighting begins
Fighting in Dublin The Free State army, led by Collins, borrowed artillery from the British army to shell the Four Courts. Within two days, the 200 Republicans inside surrendered. Fighting continued in the centre of Dublin for a few more days, but the government forces defeated the Republicans easily.
