Topic 3: The Pursuit of Sovereignty and the Impact of Partition, 1912–1949
Perspective Elements
Politics and administration
The Home Rule Bill, 1912–1914.
The impact of World War I; the 1916 Rising; the rise of the second Sinn Féin Party; the 1918 election; the War of Independence; Partition; Treaty and Civil War.
State building and the consolidation of democracy; from Free State to Republic.
Northern Ireland – the Unionist Party in power. The impact of World War II, North and South. Anglo-Irish relations.
Society and economy
Culture and religion
Impact of partition on economy and society. Impact of world economic crisis; from free trade to protectionism; impact of World War II.
State and culture, North and South: language, religion and education; promotion of cultural identity.
Belfast during World War II
The Eucharistic Congress, 1932
In their study of the topic, students should become aware of the role of certain key personalities.
Another ‘key’ to developing understanding will be learning to identify the main issues through a familiarity with certain key concepts.
Case Studies
The Treaty negotiations,
October–December, 1921
Students should be aware of the contribution of the following to the developments listed under the elements above:
Patrick Pearse; Constance Markievicz; Arthur Griffith; Michael Collins; William T. Cosgrave; James J. McElligott; Éamon de Valera; Richard Dawson Bates; James Craig; Evie Sydney Hone
Ulster unionism physical force IRB/IRA
blood sacrifice partition republic
dominion status allegiance free trade protectionism sovereignty neutrality
