Year 9 - History
Decolonisation in Ireland in the 20th century
Decolonisation: how similar was decolonisation throughout the British Empire?
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupils learn about the similarities and differences between decolonisation in various parts of the British Empire. They examine this process in Ireland, India, Palestine, Africa and the Caribbean, providing them with ample knowledge to compare the experiences of each.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to describe how violent conflict in Ireland led to its partition in 1921, with the Irish Free State becoming an independent republic in 1949.
Key Notes
- Prior to WW1, the Home Rule movement gathered momentum in Ireland and looked likely to become reality.
- With the onset of war, these plans were delayed and Irish nationalists staged a rebellion against British rule in 1916.
- Britain violently crushed the rebellion and war broke out between the IRA and the British Blacks and Tans.
- In 1921, the Anglo-Irish Treaty partitioned Ireland into Northern Ireland and the Irish Free State.
- In 1949, the Irish Free State became the Republic of Ireland, completely separate from the UK.
Vocabulary To Learn
- unionist: before the partition of Ireland, a unionist was someone who wanted all of Ireland to remain part of the United Kingdom, rather than becoming an independent country
- nationalist: someone who strongly believes in and supports their own country, placing its interests above those of other nations
- Home Rule: the policy of Ireland having its own parliament and self-government while still remaining part of the United Kingdom
- republican: someone who wanted to establish an independent Irish republic, free from British rule
- partition: to divide into parts
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- All Irish nationalists shared the same views and had the same aims.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.
Prior to WW1, the Home Rule movement gathered momentum in Ireland and looked likely to become reality. With the onset of war, these plans were delayed and Irish nationalists staged a rebellion against British rule in 1916.
2. Define this history term and explain why it matters in this topic. 'unionist'
before the partition of Ireland, a unionist was someone who wanted all of Ireland to remain part of the United Kingdom, rather than becoming an independent country.
3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.
Mistake: All Irish nationalists shared the same views and had the same aims. Correction: Some Irish nationalists wanted Home Rule for Ireland whereas other nationalists (known as republicans) wanted complete independence from Britain. After 1921, republicans split between those who supported the Anglo-Irish Treaty and those who did not.
More Lessons In This Unit
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