Imagining Ireland's Independence: The Debates over the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921

by Jason K. Knirck

Overview

The key turning point in modern Ireland's history, the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921 has shadowed Ireland's political life for decades. In this first book-length assessment of the treaty in over seventy years, Jason Knirck recounts the compelling story of the nationalist politics that produced the Irish Revolution, the tortuous treaty negotiations, and the deep divisions within Sinn Féin that led to the slow unraveling of fragile party cohesion. Focusing on broad ideological and political disputes, as well as on the powerful personalities involved, the author considers the major issues that divided the pro- and anti-treaty forces, why these issues mattered, and the later judgments of historians. He concludes that the treaty debates were in part the result of the immaturity of Irish nationalist politics, as well as the overriding emphasis given to revolutionary unity. A fascinating story in their own right, the treaty debates also open a wider window onto questions of European nationalism, colonialism, state-building, and competing visions of Irish national independence.
Treaty Documents

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780742541481
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	08/11/2006
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	216
Product dimensions:	9.02(w) x 6.08(h) x 0.54(d)

About the Author

Jason K. Knirck is assistant professor of history at Central Washington University.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 The Treaty and Irish History Chapter 2 Irish Nationalism and the Irish Revolution, 1912-1921 Chapter 3 Negotiating a Settlement Chapter 4 The Great Debate: The Dáil and the Treaty Chapter 5 Epilogue

Editorial Reviews

I liked the book and thought it would indeed be useful to students.

January 2009 H-Net: Humanities and Social Science Reviews Online

Disagreement over the Anglo-Irish Treaty dominated Irish politics for more than half century after the achievement of independence and has not entirely disappeared, especially in terms of the Northern Irish question. Jason Knirck offers an excellent introductory account as well as a well-informed and astute analytical commentary on existing scholarship about the question. Beginning students of Irish history as well as veteran scholars will profit by this book.

John P. McCarthy

I liked the book and thought it would indeed be useful to students.

H-Net: Humanities and Social Science Reviews Online

Disagreement over the Anglo-Irish Treaty dominated Irish politics for more than half century after the achievement of independence and has not entirely disappeared, especially in terms of the Northern Irish question. Jason Knirck offers an excellent introductory account as well as a well-informed and astute analytical commentary on existing scholarship about the question. Beginning students of Irish history as well as veteran scholars will profit by this book.--John P. McCarthy, Fordham University

I liked the book and thought it would indeed be useful to students.--H-Net: Humanities and Social Science Reviews Online, January 2009

From the Publisher