18.8: The Irish Civil War, 1922–1923 The Pro-Treaty and Anti-Treaty divide
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Sinn Féin had split down the middle over whether to accept the Anglo-Irish Treaty. A provisional government was set up and Arthur Griffi th was elected President of the Dáil. The provisional government oversaw the withdrawal of British troops from Ireland and set up a new government.
topic, you will learn about:
The pro-Treaty and anti-Treaty divide
The outbreak of the Irish Civil War
British troops leaving their barracks in Dublin
After the Dáil debates and vote, divisions between pro-Treaty and anti-Treaty sides deepened. Even families and friends were divided over the issue. As it had Sinn Féin, the Treaty also divided the IRA: IRA supporters of the Treaty became known as the Irish Free State Army or Regulars and the IRA members who were against the Treaty became known as Irregulars. Both sides began to take over the now-empty British barracks around the country.
In April 1922, Irregulars led by Rory O’Connor occupied the Four Courts and other buildings in Dublin in protest against the Dáil’s acceptance of the Treaty. Michael Collins, now the commander-in-chief of the pro-Treaty Free State Army, was reluctant to attack his former colleagues and friends and wanted to hold off until the general election in June 1922.
Sinn Féin put forward both pro-Treaty and anti-Treaty candidates. The results (92 pro-Treaty candidates to 36 anti-Treaty candidates elected) clearly showed that a large majority of the people supported the Treaty. This put the government in a strong position.
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
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18 Ireland 1916–1923: The Struggle for Independence
