The Partitioning of Ireland.

    Over the next two hundred years there were many rebellions kicked up by the settlers and the Crown. Because of this the Protestants set themselves up into groups so they can defend themselves, this also improves their power through violence and intimidation. In 1798 Wolfe Tone a prime example of a nationalist started up a rebellion. Though in 1801 the Crown passed an act called the Act of Union, which meant that the whole of Ireland was governed by England and they had no independent or anything. In the 19th century though the Catholics made a move towards home rule, with arguing for some independence. Because of this the unionist fought back and argued back so that nothing would weaken their ties with Britain. Obviously this was most effective in Northern Ireland. In Ireland at this point Ireland was completely owned by England Ulster, Munster, contact and Leinster. There was a third go for the home rule, which was almost passed in 1912, were the unionist didn’t like as they thought that Westminster were betraying them. So they formed the Ulster Covenant a made a petition in which some people signed in blood as they felt so strongly to their allegiance to Britain, the petition was basically to stop any attempt to give Ireland any independence. To do this the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) was formed. Most of the members of the British army, who were called in to withhold peace admitted that if it came to it they would not fight against the UVF.

    In 1914, the First World War broke out and paused the issue of Home Rule. Although this did not mean that Nationalists such as the IRA didn’t still want control of all 32 counties. As there was a lack of presence from the British army, nationalism grew stronger and led to the Easter Uprising of 1916, which was part of the worst of WW1. Nationalism, and Unionist fears for the ties, which were so important, was under threat were both growing.

 Beyond the uprising, there was another consideration for home rule or now partition of the island. Partition would prevent the Unionist from felling they were being betrayed, although it wouldn’t be so easy for the Nationalist to buy, as they wanted all 32 counties. In it’s early stages the government that Ireland had set up was clumsy and not very effective but now the Dail were running fine, but still were no match for there rival Westminster and didn’t have a chance of winning in getting the whole country. Now a session of talks followed and eventually led to the partition of Ireland, given England the six counties of Armagh, Antrim, Fermanagh, Londonderry, Tyrone and Down giving the other 26 counties to EIRE or Ireland.