The Partition of Ireland and the Emergence of Northern Ireland, 1920–1945
In this chapter you will learn about: • The events that led to the partition of Ireland in 1920 • Divisions between unionists and nationalists in Northern Ireland • The structure of the North’s government • Law and order in Northern Ireland • The North’s economy • Northern Ireland during World War II
By the end of this chapter you will be able to: • Understand the events that led to partition and the creation of Northern Ireland • Discuss the main reasons behind the unionist–nationalist divide
• Recognise the measures taken by the Ulster Unionist Party to consolidate their position in government
• Appreciate the impact World War II had on Northern Ireland
The Partition of Ireland
Under the Act of Union, 1801, Ireland was directly governed by the British parliament in Westminster. This meant that Irish Members of Parliament (MPs) no longer took their seats in a Dublin- based parliament, but instead sat in the House of Commons in London. From the 1870s onwards, Irish constitutional nationalists campaigned for a Home Rule Bill that would re-establish an Irish parliament, with power to legislate (make laws for internal Irish affairs.
266 LEAVING CERTIFICATE HISTORY
A contemporary cartoon illustrates the Unionist and Conservative Party roadblock to Home Rule.
