Peace, Partition & Christmas 1920

(The War of Independence Part XXI)

Over the last three episodes of the War of Independence Series, we saw the Republican movement demonstrate an ability and willingness to fight on despite recent setbacks. This episode looks at how the British authorities reacted to these developments. While the immediate reaction was to declare martial law across the South West, there was also murmurings of peace.

While indirect talks between republican leaders and the British Authorities started in early December these faced huge challenges. As we will see the republican movement suffered from a lack of cohesion while hardliners in Britain were opposed to any settlement with the IRA.

Meanwhile this all took place as the House of Lords passed the most far reaching Irish legislation in a century - the Government of Ireland Act. This legislation which partitioned Ireland had a lasting impact right up the present day.