2. During 1921 there was communication
between Ireland and England regarding the
possibility of independence.
While, Ireland wanted full independence,
Britain wanted Ireland to remain within the
empire
The British Prime Minsiter, Lloyd George,
requested an Irish negotiation team to be
sent to London
Eamon De Valera decided he should stay in
Ireland as President
3. The Irish Negotiation team was led by Michael
Collins and Arthur Griffith as well as four
other men.
The British negotiation team was led by
experienced politicians including Lloyd
George, Winston Churchill and Austen
Chamberlin.
4. Britain wondered how it could please Ireland’s
desire for its own state while satisfying itself
by keeping Ireland within the empire
Britain wanted to keep Ireland in its empire
for security reasons and also so other
countries would not seek independence
Ireland were concerned with The Oath of
Allegiance to the King as well the issue of
loosing Ulster. The Irish team desired unity.
5. The Oath of Allegiance was changed to try to
reduce Irish concerns
A Boarder Commission was to be set-up to
decide on the boarder with Northern Ireland.
The Irish team hoped that Northern Ireland
would be absorbed into the Irish state later.
Lloyd George threatened immediate and
terrible war unless the Irish team agreed.
On December 6th 1921, The Treaty was
signed.
