The Persuit of Sovereignty and the Impact of Partition, 1912-49

Key Personalities

James Craig
Patrick Pearse 
Arthur Griffith 
Michael Collins 
Eamon de Valera 



​WT Cosgrace 
Countess Markievicz 
Richard Dawson Bates 
Evie Hone 
James J. McElligott

Resources by Topic

  1. Home Rule to the Rise of Sinn Féin 
  2. War of Independence, 1919-21
  3. Case Study: The Treaty Negotiations, Oct - Dec, 1921
  4. The Civil War, 1922-23
  5. Cumann na nGaedheal, 1922-32 
  6. Fianna Fáil, 1932-39
  7. The Emergency
  8. Northern Ireland: The Unionists in Power, 1920-39
  9. Case Study: Belfast during World War II
  10. Case Study: The Eucharistic Congress, 1932

Some Past Exam Questions [HL]

  • During the period 1912-20, what factors contributed to the partition of Ireland? 
  • To what extent was the Anglo-Irish Treaty, 1921, responsible for the Irish Civil War? 
  • Between 1922 and 1932, what steps did the Cosgrave governments take to establish the Irish Free State on firm foundations? 
  • What steps did Irish governments take to consolidate democracy, 1923-45? 
  • What were the strengths and weaknesses of Éamonn de Valera as a political leader? 
  • Who handled Anglo-Irish relations better, WT Cosgrave or Éamonn de Valera? Argue your case referring to both. 
  • How well did the Unionist Party manage the affairs of Northern Ireland, 1920-39?
  • What was the impact on Northern Ireland of international developments during the period 1932-45? 
  • What was the significance of the Eucharistic Congress, 1932? ​