Why were the Anglo-Irish Treaty negotiations controversial?

Intro: Brief background – War of Independence, truce.

What were the negotiations? Who did they involve?
Why were the controversial? Answer Q.
P1: De Valera did not Why was this controversial? Mention his experience.
go Preliminary discussions, what happened here? What did he want? Why attend these and not
the real thing? Offer some suggestions.
Lloyd George quote – ‘negotiating with de Valera is like trying to pick up mercury with a fork.’
P2: Irish delegation Who was part of the October delegation? Anything strange about the selection of Collins? – left
school at 15, most wanted man in the British empire.
What reasons are there for de Valera not going? Question the rationale behind these reasons.
Envoy plenipotentiary – what does this mean/entail?
P3: Compromise What did the Irish delegation ask for? Lack of clarity over concessions for Irish delegates – why
was this a problem?
What were British objectives? Don’t forget Ulster.
What did they end up compromising over? What emerged as the most important element? ->
Irish unity. What’s the issue with this? How did Ulster view these talks?
P4: External What was this? Who proposed it? What was the issue with external association?
association Could this be tied in as another reason why de Valera should have gone?
How many times was it proposed and rejected?
Britain rejects this, Ireland rejects dominion status – is the acceptance of some form of
partition now imminent?
P5: Ulster Unification of Ireland was a priority for the delegates but how would this be achieved?
Various possibilities considered – Northern Ireland parliament under overall Dublin rule.
All-Ireland parliament offered in Ireland stayed in the Commonwealth – what does this show
Britain is prioritising?
Griffith and ‘essential unity’.
How did Craig view this suggestions?
Boundary Commission = solution?? What were the delegates promised this would do? Think
about Tyrone, Derry and Fermanagh.
By agreeing to the Boundary Commission, the delegates were recognising and acknowledging
partition -> why was this so controversial back in Dublin?
P6: Degree of What did the delegates want? What was on offer?
independence and Quote from Collins on freedom – was this what he wanted? What did he suggest this was?
Oath What was the Oath and why was it controversial? Think about the widows and family members
of executed 1916 leaders. Was the Oath just words?
P7: Problems in What happened on the 3rd of December? Deep divisions in the Cabinet.
Dublin and then in What happened on the 4th of December? What was proposed again?
London What ultimatum was delivered on the 5th of December?
What threat was issued? Refer to Q.
What last minute concessions were given? Why bother with these? What does this indicate/tell
us?
Churchill quote
When was the Treaty signed? Look at the time, what might this indicate.
P8: Split in Dublin What was the reaction in Dublin following the signing?
What were the main sticking points?
Dail and IRA split – discuss.
How did the country view the Treaty?
Collins – death warrant quote/reference.
Mention stepping stone.
Conclusion: Mention aftermath – Civil War. Should the wished of the general population been respected?
Treaty signed under threat of war but another war began anyway, would war with Brit have
united Ireland?
Mention Irish political split – not conversative/liberal like most countries but pro and anti-
Treaty.
What was the most controversial aspect? Make a judgement call?

Miss Stout