sign in sign up
<<
Home , Partition of Ireland

Learning Objective, Success Criteria…

LO: To understand the reasons for the partitioning of Northern and the of Ireland. Success Criteria

I can explain how was created.

I can describe the key points to the partitioning of Northern and the .

I can answer questions about the partitioning of Northern and the Republic of Ireland. Key vocabulary , unionists, Don’t forget at the end of the lesson to self assess (SA) nationalists, on your sticker how successful you have been with independence, border. your learning using Starter

Use the Knowledge organiser to write the definition of the words: partition, unionists, nationalist, independence and border in your book. Did people in Ireland want independence?

Some groups in Ireland had long thought the country would be better off having its own government, and wanted independence from the rest of the UK. The people who felt this way were called nationalists. Many of them were Catholic, who were the majority across Ireland. Back in 1885, the UK Prime Minister William Gladstone proposed giving Ireland Home Rule - which would give Ireland the power to make its own laws, while staying as part of the UK. But many people, particularly in the province of in the north-east of the country protested against it. These groups were referred to as unionists, and many were Protestant. They said "Home Rule means ", fearing they would lose rights they enjoyed as part of the UK, by becoming a minority in a mainly Catholic Ireland. Partition of Ireland The partition of Ireland was the division of the island of Ireland into two parts, Northern Ireland and Southern Ireland. It took place on 3 May 1921 under the Government of Ireland Act 1920. Today Northern Ireland is still called Northern Ireland and forms part of the while Southern Ireland, now known as the Republic of Ireland.

Government of Ireland Act

The solution came in the form of the partition of Ireland into two parts under the Government of Ireland Act, which became law in May 1921. The six predominantly Protestant counties of Ulster would become the 'north', and the remaining 26 predominantly Catholic counties would become the 'south'. Government of Ireland act

The Act of 1920 was intended to create two self-governing territories within Ireland, with the intent of both remaining within the United Kingdom. It also contained provisions for co- operation between the two territories and for the eventual reunification of Ireland becoming one country.

However, in 1922, following the War of Independence and the Anglo-Irish Treaty, the Southern part became independent (Republic of Ireland) while Northern Ireland chose to remain in the United Kingdom. Anglo - Irish Treaty

The Anglo – Irish Treaty recognised Ireland's right to have its own government, and officially ended British rule there, although the UK monarch still retained some authority in the Free State.

The agreement also split Ireland in two, along a newly created border. Parts of Ulster (where the majority of people were Unionists) remained part of the UK, with its own self government.

This created the province of Northern Ireland which was separate from the Free State. Signing of Anglo Irish Treaty However, not everyone was happy with these new agreements, and another war broke out in Ireland - this time a civil war with members who supported the Anglo-Irish Treaty and those against it. Government of Ireland Act

Since partition, a key aspiration of Irish nationalists has been to bring about a reunited Ireland, with the whole island forming one independent state. This goal conflicts with that of the unionists in Northern Ireland, who want the region to remain part of the United Kingdom. The British and Irish government agreed, under the 1998 Agreement, that the status of Northern Ireland will not change without the consent of a majority of its population. The creation of Northern Ireland

In this way Northern Ireland was created. Its parliament was opened by in June 1921, and immediate overtures to end the fighting in the rest of the island began.

Northern Ireland Flag Key Points to remember.

1.The partition of Ireland divided Ireland into two parts: Southern Ireland or the , and Northern Ireland. It was devised by the British government and finalised in .

2. Partition was intended to achieve the peaceful implementation of Home Rule in Ireland. Armed Unionist paramilitaries in Ulster were threatening to resist a government based in .

3. The partition created two self-governing : Northern (six counties) and Southern (26 counties) Ireland. It was intended to be temporary, allowing for a future reunification of Ireland.

Key Points to remember…

4. The Anglo-Irish Treaty, the Irish War of Independence and the only hardened partition and contributed to the separate development of Northern Ireland and the South.

5. When Southern Ireland re-formed as the Irish Free State in December 1922, the Northern Ireland government exercised its right to separate from Dublin under the Anglo-Irish Treaty.

6. Unionists want to remain part of the UK. Nationalists wish to become part of the independent Irish nation. Click the video link to find out more information on what you have been learning.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zt7msrd/video Task 1 …

- Draw the map of Ireland in your book.

- Draw a line to show the border between Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland.

- Label your map including capital cities of both Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland.

- Colour Northern Island and and Republic of Ireland in different colours. Task 2…

I can use the slides provided to explain how Northern Ireland was created and why why the Republic of Ireland became independent of the UK in 1921

I can write in my own words the key points of why there was a partition of Ireland using the ‘key points to remember’ to support me. Task 2… I can answer questions the below in full sentences using ‘key points to remember to support me’.

1. What were the two names of the countries that were partitioned in Ireland? 2. True or False: Was the partition intended to create more violence between the two sides? 3. How many counties were part of Northern Ireland? 4. How many counties were part of the Republic of Ireland? 5. What was the word used to describe people who wanted to remain part of the UK? 6. What was the word used to describe people who wished to become part of the independent Irish nation. 7. What month and year was Southern Ireland re-formed as the Irish Free State? 8. What was the name of the Treaty, which contributed to the separation? 9. What is the capital city of Northern Island and Republic of Ireland? 10.What do you think it would have been like, to be child if you friend lived on the other side of the border?

Challenge…

What is the difference between a Unionist and a Nationalist? How did this difference affect the partitioning? Plenary

Ask a family member or friend what they think it would be like if they couldn’t talk to someone because a border was in place preventing them? Extra Video link

This is an extended video (19 minutes) about the partition of Ireland with an advert at the start of the video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fyJaL_w8e0