By: Adina Buetow and Olivia Ward
The Irish in World War One:
The Irish Communities was comprised of two groups, the Unionists and the Nationalists. Unionists wanted to remain as they were, a part of the British Empire. Unionists were typically of British ancestry and/or were protestant. Nationalist wanted home rule (representation from their own parliament instead of the British Parliament) while remaining part of the British Empire. More Radical Nationalists groups wanted complete freedom from Britain. Nationalist were typically Catholic. Instead of being The war, WW1 was an event leading up to a war for the Irish. Both sides, excluding Radical Nationalist, supported the British Army during WW1 in belief that, in return, the British Empire would please their side. 210,000 Irishmen joined the British army without conscription during WW1. Radical Nationalist actually did more to impede the British army than to help it.
The Irish Independence War:
The Irish War for Independence began shortly after WW1 ended. It lasted 2 and a half years and eventually ended in a cease fire. The treaty agreed that 26 counties of Ireland would be free (Irish Free State) and 6 would become Northern Ireland and still remain a part of the British Empire.Ireland became a republic in 1949 and Northern Ireland remained part of the United Kingdom.
The Irish War for Independence began shortly after WW1 ended. It lasted 2 and a half years and eventually ended in a cease fire. The treaty agreed that 26 counties of Ireland would be free (Irish Free State) and 6 would become Northern Ireland and still remain a part of the British Empire.Ireland became a republic in 1949 and Northern Ireland remained part of the United Kingdom.