Partition: How and Why Ireland was Divided

The Government of Ireland Act, passed in 1921, led to the Partition of Ireland and the establishment of Northern Ireland. This event had significant ramifications for Ireland and the rest of the world, as the republican view of the division as an artificial and illegitimate border imposed by the British became entrenched. The history of how Ireland came to be divided and why it was seen as the only workable solution by the British is less understood, but Partition takes us back to the first decades of the 1900s and explores how the idea of dividing Ireland came about, how it gained acceptance and popular support, and the complex and controversial implementation of the partition.

Format: Hardback
Length: 220 pages
Publication date: 03 October 2020
Publisher: Haus Publishing

The Government of Ireland Act, passed in 1921, played a pivotal role in the partition of Ireland and the formation of Northern Ireland. This landmark legislation had far-reaching consequences that would shape the course of Irish history for generations to come.

In the short term, the partition of Ireland caused immense upheaval and division among the Irish people. The republican perspective, which saw the division as an artificial and illegitimate border imposed by the British, gained widespread support. This perception solidified over the course of the twentieth century, making partition the most contentious and divisive issue in Irish politics.

However, the history of how Ireland came to be divided and why it was perceived as the only viable solution at the time is less well understood. The complex web of events, political maneuvering, and cultural tensions that led to partition are often overshadowed by the subsequent struggles and conflicts that followed.

In his book, "Partition," historian Eamonn Gibbons provides a comprehensive account of the origins, acceptance, and implementation of the partition plan. Gibbons delves into the political, social, and economic factors that contributed to the partition of Ireland and explores the tumultuous years that followed.

The idea of partitioning Ireland emerged in the early 1900s as a response to the growing nationalist movement in Ireland. The Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB) and other nationalist organizations sought to establish an independent Irish state, free from British rule. However, the British government, concerned about the potential threat to its empire, refused to grant Ireland independence.

As a result, the British government introduced the Government of Ireland Act in 1920, which divided Ireland into two provinces: Northern Ireland and Southern Ireland. Northern Ireland was largely Protestant and would remain part of the United Kingdom, while Southern Ireland was predominantly Catholic and would become independent.

The partition plan was controversial and divisive, with many Irish people seeing it as a betrayal of their national identity and aspirations. The IRB and other nationalist organizations rejected the partition plan, arguing that it was an artificial division that would perpetuate division and conflict.

However, the partition plan gained acceptance and popular support among the British government and the Protestant community in Northern Ireland. They saw it as a way to ensure stability and protect the interests of the Protestant minority in Ireland.

The implementation of the partition plan was complex and controversial. The British government established a new administrative system in Northern Ireland, with a governor-general and a parliament. Southern Ireland, on the other hand, became independent and established its own government, with Michael Collins as its first president.

However, the years that followed the partition were marked by turmoil and conflict. The Irish Civil War, which lasted from 1922 to 1923, saw the Irish Republican Army (IRA) fight against the newly established Irish Free State government. The war resulted in the deaths of thousands of people and the displacement of millions.

Partition also had economic consequences, with Northern Ireland becoming heavily dependent on British subsidies and investment. Southern Ireland, on the other hand, experienced economic growth and development, but it also faced challenges such as poverty, unemployment, and emigration.

In conclusion, the Government of Ireland Act, passed in 1921, played a pivotal role in the partition of Ireland and the formation of Northern Ireland. While the immediate consequences were profound and divisive, the history of how Ireland came to be divided and why it was seen as the only workable solution at the time is less well understood. Partition remains a complex and contentious issue in Irish politics, but Gibbons' book provides valuable insights into the political, social, and economic factors that shaped this pivotal period in Irish history.

Weight: 288g
Dimension: 145 x 225 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781913368012