An evaluation of the reasons for the outbreak of the Irish Civil War

Disagreement Over the Anglo-Irish Treaty

The Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921 was a pivotal event that led to the Irish Civil War. The treaty aimed to resolve the Irish War of Independence and proposed the establishment of the Irish Free State, which gave Ireland dominion status while retaining allegiance to the British crown.
A faction of Irish nationalists, such as those in the Irish Republican Army (IRA), vehemently disagreed with the content of the Treaty, considering it a betrayal of the Irish Republic declared during the Easter Rising of 1916. They saw the treaty as falling short of the full independence they desired.
There was even disagreement among members of the ruling party, Sinn Féin, leading to a schism. Those against the treaty, including Éamon de Valera, refused to accept the result of the Dáil vote that approved it, further exacerbating political tension.

Power Struggles and Political Division

The division over the treaty revealed a power struggle within the government and military over the fate of Ireland, which escalated and became violent, leading to war. Factionalism within the IRA exemplified this, with some members continuing to support the treaty and others rejecting it entirely.
The inability to reconcile different views regarding the treaty saw the Irish government and the anti-treaty IRA in direct opposition, with each considering the other to be illegitimate.
In June 1922, the pro-treaty government’s decision to attack anti-treaty forces holed up in the Four Courts in Dublin signaled the start of the war.

British Involvement

The involvement of the British in Irish affairs played a role in the lead-up to the civil war. Threats by British Prime Minister, Lloyd George, implying a resumption of war should the treaty be rejected, put additional pressure on the situation.
The terms of the treaty, particularly the requirement for an oath of allegiance to the British King, fueled nationalistic sentiments and deepened divides among Irish nationalists, leading to increased tensions and eventually war.

Legacy of Violence and Sectarian Tensions

The legacy of violence from the War of Independence and the long-term sectarian tensions between Catholics and Protesticals were also important underlying factors that contributed to the outbreak of the civil war.
Ireland’s turbulent history and the bitterness engendered by past struggles made it difficult for differing factions to compromise and find peaceful resolutions, thus providing fertile ground for conflict.